WBO Bantamweight Champion Stephen Fulton, Philadelphia’s New Hero
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Stephen Fulton Jr. currently holds the World Boxing Organisation World Super Bantamweight title. Fulton, 19-0 with eight knockouts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, defeated 20-0, Angelo Leo of Las Vegas, Nevada, by 12 round decision in January 2021 to win the WBO world title. Previously, Fulton held the International Boxing Organization World Super Bantamweight title, and World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental titles.
Fulton, as evidenced by his battle with Leo, is a strong battler with a fantastic left jab, and great instincts for battling on the inside, trading nonstop, and holding after furious exchanges over 12 rounds. Whether or not he can rise of the reputation of the Philadelphia legends remains to be seen.
Joe Frazier, Bernard Hopkins, Harry Greb, Gunboat Smith, Jimmy Young, Sammy Angott, Charley Burley, Billy Conn, Steve Cunningham, Buster Drayton, Jersey Joe Walcott, Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Tommy Loughran, Battling Levinsky, Benny Bass, Joey Giardello, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Meldrick Taylor, Lew Tendler, Bob Montgomery, Julian Williams, Tyrone Everett, Bad Bennie Briscoe, Danny Garcia, Jeff Chandler and Gabriel Rosado are among Philadelphia’s best, and the company of legend Stephen Fulton will have to keep if he is to upkeep Philadelphia’s reputation.
Fulton landed 364 of 1,183 punches thrown against Leo, a volume which would even scare Guillermo Rigondeaux and the best of the lower division ranks. Fulton connected on 320 of 913 power punches against Leo, so he is a volume puncher and a power hitter who can also jab. In the lower Wilfredo Gomez weights, it will be hard for opponents to compete with this kind of percentage. How well Fulton defends against top flight opposition, or unification against other world champions, remains to be seen. The world will be watching.
COMMENTS
English