Philippines, 31 Jan 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:

  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 29 Jan 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.