Junior lightweight contender O’Shaquie Foster believes it is only a matter of time before the top fighters in the division will have to face him. Whether they are world titleholders or contenders, Foster is confident he could defeat any of them at any time. 

Foster will have his hands full in the meantime Friday night, as he squares off against unbeaten Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov. The 12-round bout will take place at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and will stream live on fuboTV in the United States and Canada and ESPN Knockout throughout Latin America.

Friday will mark the first of two cards promoted by Probellum. The following evening, on Saturday, former IBF world junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis will face Tyrone McKenna in a 10-round bout.

Foster (18-2, 11 knockouts), who resides in Houston, Texas, has not fought since stopping former world title challenger Miguel ‘Mickey’ Roman in the ninth round. He has won his last eight bouts since losing by split decision to Rolando Chinea in July 2016. 

The 28-year-old will face an unbeaten fighter in Yaqubov, a Russia-based fighter who is originally from Tajikistan. Yaqubov has decent wins over former world junior bantamweight titleholder Tomas Rojas and fringe contender Abraham Montoya, but Foster is confident Yaqubov has not fought anyone with his style.

Despite fighting on foreign soil, Foster believes he is the favorite going into Friday’s fight. 

“My speed, power, IQ, and experience will be the difference,” Foster told Boxingscene Monday night. “I have a unique style that (he) has not seen before.

“I don’t feel like I'm the underdog coming into the fight. These guys haven’t seen what I bring to the table. I’m ranked No. 1 (by the WBC) and he’s No. 2. I feel as if the underdog mindset is for losers. I feel I’m the most talented fighter in boxing so I never feel like I'm the underdog.”

The junior lightweight division is competitive and has several top fighters. Shakur Stevenson will put up his WBO title against Oscar Valdez, the WBC titleholder, on April 30 in Las Vegas. Other top fighters at 130 pounds include WBA titleholder Roger Gutierrez, IBF titleholder Kenichi Ogawa, Miguel Berdchelt, Robson Conceicao, Jamel Herring, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, Hector Garcia, and Chris Colbert.

Foster believes he is right there amongst the best in the division, and he is confident he can defeat anyone at 130 pounds. As much as he has wanted to face these top fighters, he remains patient and believes he will eventually get his long-overdue opportunity. 

“There’s a lot of talent, but I don’t get frustrated (having not faced the top fighters),” said Foster, who is managed by Keith Mills. “I feel like I’m the ‘Boogeyman, so in due time, they will have no choice but to mention me.

“I’ve stayed focused by just staying in the gym and just keeping my eyes on the ultimate goal and that’s to be a world champion and provide for my family.”

Foster spent time away from the sport, partly because of promotional issues. He was promoted by Lou DiBella, who eventually sued Foster last year for breach of contract in a court case that was settled. Foster has since signed a promotional deal with Probellum.

Despite the time spent away from boxing, Foster hopes to ride momentum later this year, should he come out victorious against Yaqubov. He hopes to make a statement Friday night at his expense.

“The statement I’m going to make is that I’m the best in the division and will put the world on notice.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing