Philippines, 01 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Foster vs. Nova & Curiel vs. Nontshinga 2 Headline Friday Fights


PhilBoxing.com



Foster (L) and Nova (R) at Thursday's weighin>

The postponement for the undisputed heavyweight championship leaves this Saturday bone dry in America. On Friday there’s a bunch of events the two highlighted in this preview and predictions article will be the live streaming on ESPN+ and DAZN. O’Shaquie Foster takes on Abraham Nova and a rematch between Adrian Curial and Sivenathi Nontshinga. Let’s begin with the second meeting pairing Curial and Nontshinga.

Adrian Curial came out of nowhere to knockout the heavily favored Nontshinga in round two last November. Nontshinga was using his fundamentals nicely in the early goings until being plastered to the canvas from an overhand right by Curial. Will it be different the second time is a tough question to answer because Sivenathi has the tools to win this fight on paper. He’s got hand speed and has a very solid jab. Nontshinga goes to the body well as he did in their first meeting with both hands. The key for him will be to stay off the ropes as much as possible.

Curial keeps a high guard and has enough confidence to walk straight inside. Trapping Nontshinga from heavy pressure will again be the main objective. Adrian did show the ability to move his upper body and is crafty with the way he lands that overhand right. Upper body/head movement and footwork will be so important for both of them but especially Nontshinga.


Curiel and Notshinga face off during Wednesday's presscon.

This boxing podcaster thinks this fight will last much longer and quite possibly the full 12-round distance. Expect a back and forth fight on Friday all the way until the end. Nontshinga’s jab will have to be effective along staying outside to keep Curial from setting up shop and delivering his power punches. This one is 60-40 in favor of Curial, even with the first result ending abruptly. The best bets in this boxing junkies mind is Curiel by decision sitting around +150 and +375 for Nontshinga by decision on my.bookie. Honestly I don’t have a great feel for the outcome as you can tell.

My Official Prediction is Adrian Curiel by Split-Decision.

In the main event on ESPN+, O’Shaquie Foster against Abraham Nova is seemingly a less difficult fight to pick. Foster is coming off a rough fight with Eduardo Hernandez in which he had to score a stoppage to get the victory. Before that O’Shaquie cruised to a decision win over Rey Vargas, a skilled fighter in his own right.

His opponent is Abraham Nova, a good boxer that has bounced back with two wins after getting stopped by Robeisy Ramirez. Nova will need to emulate Hernandez by cutting off the ring while landing big blows in combination. Nova’s defense is not all that great. He keeps his hands too low, which leaves him wide open to left hooks and counter punches in general. Foster will need to pump his jab and use his legs to circle and pivot away from Nova.

Versus Hernandez, Foster lingered on the ropes relying too heavily on his shoulder roll/philly shell. O’Shaquie can defend fairly well don’t get me wrong but there are holes that Hernandez found. Foster’s jab, pot shots, and counterpunching will overwhelm Nova if he does in fact try to make this a phone booth fight. Nova is a quality boxer but doesn’t fight in the manner of Hernandez enough to give him the edge.

My Official Prediction is O’Shaquie Foster by Unanimous Decision
PODCAST LINK: http://tobtr.com/12314312 or The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Side Note: ProBoxTV, ESPN+, & DAZN all feature Friday night cards. One to keep an eye on is Rakhimov vs. Nunez this Saturday.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Jimuel in Action on Friday!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • “Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.