---
title: "Foster bypasses Garner, eyes Stevenson and Navarrete"
description: "WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster rejects unification calls, doubles down on elite showdowns with Stevenson and Navarrete."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/o-shaquie-foster-frena-el-sue-o-de-ryan-garner-intent-hac-99d8f7fc
published: 2026-07-03T07:21:04.204+00:00
updated: 2026-07-03T07:21:04.204+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["boxing", "hockey", "baseball"]
---

# Foster bypasses Garner, eyes Stevenson and Navarrete

> WBC champ O’Shaquie Foster rejects unification calls, doubles down on elite showdowns with Stevenson and Navarrete.

O’Shaquie Foster has dismissed Ryan Garner’s call for a unification fight, arguing he previously tried to book the bout twice and was rebuffed.

The WBC Super Featherweight champion is instead locking in high-profile showdowns with pound-for-pound stars Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete for his next title defense.

Foster’s stance underscores his refusal to engage with interim-title drama, opting for legacy-building matchups against the division’s elite.

Garner, the interim champion, had publicly urged Foster to unify the belts, but Foster’s camp countered that the offer was not genuine, citing past rejections.

The WBC champion’s pivot to Stevenson and Navarrete signals a deliberate strategy to bypass lower-tier unification fights.

Promoters and analysts suggest Foster’s approach could redefine the division’s hierarchy, forcing other contenders to align with his vision of elite competition.

The move also highlights Foster’s confidence in his ability to compete with the sport’s top names.

What’s next: Foster’s team is finalizing negotiations for a bout with either Stevenson or Navarrete, with a potential announcement expected within weeks.

A title defense against one of these opponents would cement Foster’s status as the division’s premier fighter.

## Why this matters

Foster’s refusal to engage with interim champion Ryan Garner and his pivot to pound-for-pound stars Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete redefines the Super Featherweight division’s hierarchy. By bypassing easy unification dollars, Foster is drafting a roadmap that prioritizes legacy over paydays, forcing the division to follow his lead.

## Frequently asked

### Why did O’Shaquie Foster reject Ryan Garner’s unification fight?

Foster claims he tried to book the Garner fight twice before and was turned down each time, calling the current call-out hollow.

### Who are Foster’s next targets for a title defense?

Foster is eyeing elite showdowns with pound-for-pound stars Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete, bypassing interim champion Ryan Garner.

### What weight class is O’Shaquie Foster fighting in?

Foster is the WBC Super Featherweight champion, a division that includes fighters at 130 pounds.

### How does Foster’s stance affect the Super Featherweight division?

By rejecting unification with the interim champion and targeting elite opposition, Foster is setting a new standard for title defenses that prioritizes legacy over easy wins.

### Has Foster fought Ryan Garner before?

No. Foster claims he attempted to schedule bouts with Garner twice but was declined, which he cites as the reason for rejecting the unification call.

## Sources & Citations

- [O’Shaquie Foster frena el sueño de Ryan Garner: “Intenté hacer esa pelea dos veces y dijo que no”](https://www.dazn.com/es-MX/news/boxeo/oshaquie-foster-frena-el-sueno-de-ryan-garner/qh8we72clses1ppbk1jjvvkrp) — GNews.io (2026-07-02)

---

Cite: Foster bypasses Garner, eyes Stevenson and Navarrete. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/o-shaquie-foster-frena-el-sue-o-de-ryan-garner-intent-hac-99d8f7fc