Undefeated 122-pound champion Angelo Leo and fellow unbeaten rising star Stephen Fulton Jr. hosted a virtual conference call in advance of their long-awaited battle for Leo’s WBO Junior Featherweight World Championship Saturday, January 23 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Angelo Leo and unbeaten rising star Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr. previewed their long-awaited championship showdown during a virtual press conference Wednesday as they prepare to battle live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 23, in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast of 2021 begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. It features a co-main event pitting two more undefeated 122-pound boxers against each other as Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas face off in a 12-round bout for the interim WBA title. In the telecast opener, rising prospect Rolando Romero squares off against Justin Pauldo in a 12-round lightweight bout for Romero’s interim WBA title. The six fighters’ combined ring record on the card is a remarkable 96 wins with just one loss.
Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions promote the event.
Leo and Fulton were originally scheduled to meet on SHOWTIME for the vacant title in August before Fulton received a positive COVID-19 test. Leo defeated Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision to capture the title and now make his first defense against the unbeaten Fulton.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:
ANGELO LEO
“This is going to be a great fight. I know Fulton is coming to fight, and I’m coming to fight too. We have two contrasting styles. I see it sort of like an East Coast vs. West Coast thing, so it’s going to be fireworks. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year, and I can’t wait for you all to see it.
“I’m not surprised at all that Vegas has Fulton as the slight favorite. I know that he has a lot of supporters. I’ve been an underdog before. I’ve been in these shoes before, so it’s no surprise to me. It just gives me more fuel for the fire. I’m not at all offended that he’s the favorite. This is boxing, and Fulton is a good fighter, but I’m looking to prove on January 23 that I’m where I belong and that I’m world champion for a reason.
“I’m known for throwing a lot of body punches and for my pressure. That’s no secret. I feel like people haven’t seen all of me yet. I have a lot to prove. I still have many looks to show, and come January 23, and I think Stephen Fulton will bring that all out of me. I think it’s important, in every fight, to go to the body. As they say, go to the body, and the head will fall, but if he wants to move around and put pressure, I have a remedy for all that.
“Floyd [Mayweather] has been in my ear, solidifying the game plan with me. He’s been telling me exactly what I need to do to win this fight. I saw him quickly on Monday. It was brief, but he just stopped in to say hello and see how I was doing.
“Being a champion is something that I always wanted to be, so now that I have the belt, I have the confidence I need. But I don’t take my foot off the gas just because I’m champion. They say that once you’re champion, it’s actually harder. As bad as you want it, now everybody else wants it just as bad as you do. My mentality is the same now that I’m a world champion, and I’m gunning for more world championships. I’m not the hunted. I’m still hunting.
“I’m going to show Stephen that it’s different when you get in the ring. There are a lot more factors that play out. Not just pressure. Not just bodywork. I have a lot of things up my sleeve that a lot of people haven’t seen yet, and I’m going to showcase all my skills on January 23.
“Johnny Tapia is the pride and joy of Albuquerque. He’s one of the greatest fighters from that city and to be mentioned with his name is an honor. Johnny Tapia was a good person, very charismatic and he showed everybody love.
“This fight is great for boxing. You have two undefeated fighters, both in their prime – what more do you want from two fighters in this boxing era? This is the marquee fight right here. This is the fight fans want to see.
“With this performance, I want to let everybody know that I’m here to stay. I think many people doubt me just because I fought Tramaine Williams, and they say he just had three days’ notice. But he was getting ready for a fight as well. I have a lot of doubters that I want to prove wrong, and in this fight, I think I’ll have the opportunity to.”
STEPHEN FULTON
“January 23 is going to be fireworks. Leo is the champion and has that spark and fire. We’re both coming hungry and prepared to make this a great fight. This fight is actually a bit underrated because we’re smaller guys, but we’re both in the top five of this division. Leo and I both have something to prove, and I’m ready to get it on.
“I don’t think the layoff will affect me at all. I think it makes me even more ready. I can’t wait to get in the ring and get back to doing what I love.
“My game plan remains the same as if I was fighting him in August. We’re always ready to make adjustments, but I believe I’m much better than if I had fought in August. From losing that opportunity and now coming back, it’s made me better physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Going through the experience of fighting Leo canceled just changed my mindset. I felt like I lost everything. It made me train even harder. I took that rage and anxiety and used it every day in training. I’m just ready to fight.
“To me, it means everything to be a world champion from Philadelphia. This is what I’ve been working for my whole career. To my city, it would show people from my neighborhood that there’s a way out. But I don’t feel any pressure because of it. This sport teaches us the discipline to perform in moments like this. The pressure is just a part of my job.
“My streak of taking fighters’ ‘0’ is going to continue on January 23. Fighters have their thing that they’re known for: Gervonta Davis knocks people out, Chris Colbert shows off his flashy skills, and I take fighters’ ‘0’s. Fight night; we’ll both be prepared and ready. I’m ready to put on a show, and I believe Leo will be ready to do the same.
“I’m one of the guys leading the new era of Philadelphia boxing, but I can’t get ahead of myself. I have to stay smart, calm and do my job. It’s all about doing what I came there to do.
“I am that next wave, and I’m just ready to stamp it by getting this belt. I’m going to solidify what everyone already knew about me. I have the superstar quality in me, and I’ll show it in this fight.
“Leo’s performance against Williams was what I expected. I knew he would come forward and be a dog, but I don’t think Williams expected it. He’s a good fighter, he earned his way here, and now we have to fight.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“In this main event, we have a highly anticipated fight that the fans have been waiting for since it was first announced. This is a meaningful fight for the 122-pound division. This is one of the hottest divisions in boxing, with several fighters that you can mix and match to make numerous great matchups.
“Angelo Leo is coming off a tremendous victory to win this title against Tramaine Williams. That was his coming-out party. He was really impressive and made a big statement. When it comes to Fulton, you know he doesn’t lack confidence. He’s young, undefeated, talented, and feels like this will be his easiest payday to date. He believes he’s going to walk through Leo.
“This main event has two young undefeated fighters facing each other in their primes. That’s what makes a great fight. It’s also interesting that Fulton is actually a slight betting favorite, despite Leo being the champion.
“We open the telecast with Mayweather Promotions’ own Rolando Romero. ‘Rolly’ is coming off a less than impressive performance when he won the interim title, so he’ll be looking to make a big statement for fans. This is going to be a great card from top to bottom, and we can’t wait.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“You won’t find many young fighters that have been against as much impressive competition as Stephen Fulton has. Seven of his victories out of his 18 wins are over undefeated fighters. It’s awe-inspiring. He’s coming to grab what he believes is his and what should have been his back in August.
“The co-feature is the fight I’m really excited about with Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas. This is a crucial matchup with very legitimate contenders. A 50-50 fight between two undefeated prospects in the hot 122-pound division. Both fighters have made it clear that they want the elite of the division, and they are willing to put it all on the line on January 23 to make that happen. The winner of this fight will be in the driver’s seat for any of the 122-pound champions.
“In the opener, they say styles make fights, and Justin Pauldo has a style that could really give Rolando Romero some fits. He’s got a great jab, and he’s in great shape and down in Houston training with Ronnie Shields. He’s coming to win. Out of the six featured fights, we have only one loss between them, so we will see some ‘0’s go on January 23. We’re looking forward to it.”
