Stephen Fulton finally gets his world title shot against Angelo Leo

Stephen Fulton tested positive before a title shot against Angelo Leo in August and missed an opportunity. Leo is the champion, but Fulton is ready for war. 

Super bantamweight contender Stephen Fulton is about to get his first world title shot months after COVID-19 derailed his hopes and dreams.

Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) was supposed to fight fellow undefeated boxer Angelo Leo on Aug. 1 for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title. Originally, Fulton was cleared to fight and passed his initial COVID-19 test but failed another test days before the fight.

Fulton was out, and Tramaine Williams was in. Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) defeated Williams and earned the WBO title in the process. Fulton had to watch from home but wasn’t too surprised by what he saw.

“Leo’s performance against Williams was what I expected,” Fulton told FanSided during a recent press conference. “I knew he was going to 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 just have to fight.”

Fulton is now healthy and prepared to battle Leo on Saturday, Jan. 23, on Showtime. Leo is the champion, but he didn’t have to go through Fulton to get his title. Their matchup signifies a real test to determine who is deserving of being called champion.

On paper, it’s a very even matchup. Both boxers are undefeated and have a similar knockout rating. However, Leo is the reigning champion, and his status gives him an added swagger.

Angelo Leo is the champion, but Stephen Fulton is searching for his first title after COVID-19 kept him from achieving his dream

“Being champion is something that I always wanted to be, so now that I have the belt, I have the confidence I need,” said Leo. “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 world champion, and I’m gunning for more world championships. I’m not the hunted. I’m still hunting.”

Leo fought well against Williams, but Fulton insists that he has Leo figured out. He didn’t see anything Leo did against Williams to alter his original game plan.

“My game plan remains the same as if I was fighting him in August,” said Fulton to Showtime’s Brian Custer. “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.”

Leo vs. Fulton is very close to a 50-50 matchup. According to Oddsshark.com, Fulton is a slight betting favorite at -220 odds. His résumé is probably the reason that the odds are tipping in his favor ever so slightly.

“I believe my résumé is one of the reasons why the odds are the way they are,” said Fulton. “Résumés and those such things make certain fights. It makes the fighter, and if I’m beating seven undefeated fighters, the guys I’m going up against are not…the odds are going to look the way they look. It’s a bigger chance I’m going to win in the fight because I have those type of caliber fighters on my résumé.”

Leo vs. Fulton has all the makings of an instant classic. Two undefeated boxers collide to decide who’s the real deal of the super bantamweight division. It’s an even matchup that comes down to who wants it more.

Watch Angelo Leo vs. Stephen Fulton on Saturday, Jan. 23, on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.