Stephen Fulton Jr was supposed to be fighting for a world title for the first time on Saturday night, as he was scheduled to take on Angelo Leo on a Showtime main event for the vacant WBO junior featherweight belt.
Instead, Fulton tested positive for coronavirus mid-week, and Leo won the title against Tramaine Williams with a pretty dominant performance.
Leo (20-0, 9 KO) now has a world title for the first time in his young career, making him the fourth fighter from Albuquerque to win a recognized world title, after Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, and Holly Holm, and he’s obviously thrilled to follow in their footsteps.
“I’m pretty sure Albuquerque is celebrating tonight,” he said on Saturday. “You have Johnny, Danny, Holly and now me. There’s four champions in that city and I think I’ve made history there.”
Fulton (18-0, 8 KO) was watching from home in Philadelphia, and does indeed to go after the belt still, now as a challenger.
“Congratulations to Leo, he did it,” said Fulton. “But listen, I’m ready for him. I’ve been ready. Just be ready to face me when it’s time. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
A Leo-Fulton fight is still a really good one to make, and one that should be easy, though maybe a bit less easy than before as the deal would have to change with a champion and challenger as opposed to two guys fighting for a vacant strap.