Orange boxer scores first round KO

O'Shanique Foster of Orange won his fight on August 22 in Washington, D.C. with a first round knockout. He KO'd Frank Jordan of New Jersey at 1:26 into the bout. RECORD PHOTO: Lawrence Trimm

David Ball - For The Record

Ronda Rousey isn't the only quick knockout artist around.

Orange's own O'Shanique "Ice Water" Foster made quick work of his opponent on August 22 in a boxing match in Washington, D.C. Craig Stilley, his manager and trainer, said his fighter scored a first round KO at 1:26 in the non-title junior lightweight bout against Frank Jordan of New Jersey.

"He (Foster) was grinning from ear to ear," Stilley said. "His promoter was so impressed. He said he knows he made the right decision (in hiring him).

"He (Jordan) was supposed to be a durable kid, but it only took 40 seconds and the kid was down the first time. O'Shanique then stalked him up and down and set him up. Jordan said it felt like a gunshot went off in his head. It was a beautiful display.

In fact, when Jordan went down at the 1:26 mark a neurosurgeon had to check him out and he was taken away by EMS.

Foster is now 7-0 with four KOs.

Foster will now go on to fight twice in Las Vegas and once in New Jersey. He's also guaranteed some television time for the Vegas fight on September 18. The plan from there is for him to box in some intermediate regional championship bouts and move up the ranks.

"He's so talented. Everybody's impressed. Their jaws dropped after the fight," Stilley said. "It happened so quickly my assistant didn't even have time to set up his corner."

Prior to the bout, Stilley and Foster studied the way Jordan boxes and built a strategy.

"He can figure you out so quickly," Stilley said. "He (Foster) executed it to perfection. He's so smart; he can figure out things for himself."

Stilley said it only took 20 seconds for Foster to figure out Jordan.

Foster switched from fighting right-handed to fighting southpaw and took down Jordan with a right hook.

After these next three matches, Stilley plans to let his fighter heal over the holidays and take up the mantle again.

"Hopefully he will be 10-0 by January," he said.

Foster also has the announcer say he's from Orange, Texas at a fight rather than he's from Beaumont or Houston.

In a prior Record article, Stilley predicted a first round knockout in early July.

"He's the best fighter to come out of this area. He can fight left-handed or right-handed. He has power from both sides. The transition is so smooth. Promoters wanted him badly."

Stilley has trained Foster for nine months.

Foster then compiled a 6-0 record as a professional with three knockouts, fighting his way to a title bout, Stilley said. He'll also get ranked as he goes along.

Foster has been boxing since he was eight years old.

He has more than 100 amateur bouts. He tried out for the 2012 U.S. Olympic trial in the 123-pound class and was a runner-up and an alternate.

He was the 2011 Houston Golden Gloves Champion, the 2010 PAL National Champion in the 123 pound class, a five-time Ringside National Champion and a two-time National Junior Golden Glove Champion.

"He has a lot of experience," said Stilley. "I've been working with fighters for 21 years and I've never come across someone with his talent."

Foster is training at King's Gym in West Orange where he focuses on cross fit, strength and conditioning, and show boxing. The boxing gym is set aside strictly for Foster to train in.

They're focusing on the basics and sticking to the fundamentals of boxing before the advanced stuff.

"He has so much talent anyway," he said.

He also works at a job and trains around his schedule. He likes to play basketball too.

Between a busy work and training schedule, Foster doesn't have much spare time.

"He's an incredible athlete," Stilley said. "He does lots of sprints to work on his explosiveness. We go to Houston for sparring three days a week. He has a great wok ethic and high energy."

Foster spars in Houston with Eric De Leon from the famous Kronk Gym in Detroit. All of his sparring partners have at least a 16-0 record.

Stilley believes the sport of boxing is experiencing a huge comeback and it's just a matter of time until Foster will be televised boxing.

He's boxing under GH3 Promotions out of New Jersey. Stilley said it's a whole other level in boxing promoters.

Stilley grew up with Foster's father. Stilley started a boxing facility on Pier Road in Orange. He soon quit working with amateurs and only trains professionals now.

"We're all like a family (the people in Orange and Houston). We operate as a team," he said.

Foster and Stilley wanted to thank sponsors King's Gym, Stilley Enterprises, Nolan Leblanc Law Firm, Bearden and Bearden Law Firm, Orange Trade Days and Ritter Lumber for their support. The team is also looking for other sponsors. Those interested may contact Craig Stilley at either 409-313-2038 or [email protected]