Ionut Baluta Ramps Up On Brad Foster to Win Unanimous Decision
Super bantamweight Ionut “Capo” Baluta (15-3, 3KOs) outworked Brad “The Blade” Foster (14-2, 5KOs) to a unanimous decision victory, winning the vacant WBC International title.
Baluta was on a seven-fight win streak before narrowly suffering a third defeat on his record against featherweight title challenger Michael Conlan. The Romanian native holds a victory over former IBF champion TJ Doheny and used that experience to close the show for the victory.
Foster was moving up the ranks on the domestic level, winning the BBBofC title. In 2021, he captured the vacant IBF International title after defeating Alvaro Rodriguez. However, he suffered the first defeat of his career against Jason Cunningham for the EBU and Commonwealth titles. The Blade has now lost back-to-back fights, and undoubtedly his number #14 ranking will take a hit.
A WILD START
In the early portion of the fight, both men looked to establish their game plan. Baluta was throwing fast punches that were not landing as Foster was doing a good job moving out of the way, but mostly they were holding at the beginning of the fight.
Baluta’s awkwardness began confusing Foster. He used feints to land the left hook, followed by flurries of shots in close. Foster started fighting in search of counters, landing the overhand right and good shots to the body. As both men continued attacking in close during the exchanges, Foster used boxing skills to land the sharp counters. However, Baluta always fired back with a good jab and counter hooks.
BALUTA’S ACTIVITY WAS THE KEY
This was a tough fight to call until Baluta cranked up the activity. He kept Foster on the defense and took advantage of the lack of activity by the British fighter. Baluta’s pressure started to take a toll on Foster as his activity slowed towards the end of the fight. He continued to keep punches in Foster’s face and mixed up the attack, taking control of the fight.
In the last two rounds, Foster was withholding the right hand as if it was hurt. The more experienced Baluta took advantage of Foster’s inactivity by landing good hooks and hard jabs. He continued to push the action until the final bell.
When the final bell sounded, the judges’ scorecards were 98-94, and two had it 97-93 for Baluta, who picked up the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title.
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By: Garrisson Bland
