However, Keith Idec, a senior writer and columnist for The Ring, doesn’t expect Foster and Stevenson to share the ring anytime soon.
According to Idec, Stevenson is pursuing bigger fights and larger paydays than a bout with Foster would currently provide. Stevenson has also been linked to several high-profile matchups as speculation continues regarding his future plans.
Instead, Idec pointed to a title unification fight between Foster and Emanuel Navarrete as a much more realistic option.
Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) currently holds the IBF and WBO junior lightweight titles, while Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) owns the WBC belt. Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank, which would make a unification bout easier to arrange than a fight involving Stevenson.
Idec also noted that a Foster-Navarrete matchup would determine the division’s leading champion. Navarrete is widely regarded as one of the top fighters at 130 pounds, while Foster strengthened his standing with victories over Stephen Fulton, Robson Conceicao and Raymond Ford.
As Foster continues to pursue Stevenson, Idec believes a unification bout with Navarrete remains the fight most likely to move from discussion to reality.
