AT Las Vegas’ Park Theater on Saturday night (November 27), Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa [above right] are set to collide over 12 rounds. It’s matchup to be applauded and a fight, we expect, to be enjoyed immensely.
Between them, Figueroa (22-0-1) and Fulton (19-0) are yet to lose in 42 bouts. At the time of writing, the bookies prefer Fulton’s chances, making him a 2/7 favourite over his Texan opponent, who is priced at 5/2. Figueroa, nicknamed “The Heartbreaker” for both his good looks and ability to wear down his opponents, is coming off an excellent seventh round KO of Luis Nery, then 31-0, in May. And on paper, that is a superior result to anything Fulton has thus far achieved.
At 24, Figueroa is improving all the time. He can also boast wins over Moises Flores, Yonfrez Parejo and Damien Vazquez. He is the taller man, at 5ft 8ins, by two inches and he holds a similar advantage in reach. But he’s yet to meet anyone as slick as Fulton and that could be a huge factor here.
Fulton, who also falls short in the punching department (eight inside schedule wins to his rival’s 17), must work hard early to get his rival’s respect. That is his key to victory. If Figueroa has success in the opening rounds, he will be very difficult to shake from a position of control.
This looks a closer fight than the bookies have it but Fulton, a joy to watch when in full flow, is the pick to win this one over 12 highly interesting rounds, using his excellent boxing at both range and in close to control enough of the action to triumph on points.
Showtime are the promoters.