WBO super bantamweight champion Stephen ‘Cool Boy Steph’ Fulton 19-0 (8) and WBC Brandon ‘Heartbreaker’ Figueroa 22-0-1 (17) will have the chance to steal the show when they meet in their two-belt unification bout at the Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 18.
The Mexican Independent Day Weekend was expected to be dominated by the mooted four-belt unification bout between WBC, WBO and IBF super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 56-1-2 (38) and IBF counterpart Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-0 (12) before fight negotiations fell apart. The duo will now meet in Las Vegas on November 6.
American Fulton, 27, of Philadelphia was impressive in outpointing previously undefeated Angelo Leo 20-1 (9) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut in his last fight in January.
His fight against Figueroa will give him the opportunity to consolidate his claim to being the best 122-pound boxer in the world.
“We will have a new king of the division on a historic day,” Fulton said. “Training camp has been great, rough and dirty. I know where I need to be for this fight and I’m right there not running away from it.
“History will be made September 18 on Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas. Let’s celebrate with a bang!”
The 24-year-old Figueroa from Weslaco in Texas delivered a breakthrough performance in his last fight, knocking out previously undefeated WBC champion Luis ‘Pantera’ Nery 31-1 (24) in seven frames in his last outing at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California in May.
“We train hard for every fight and make sure we go 110% come fight night,” Figueroa said.
“I expect Fulton to be flashy and slick with his movements and perhaps he’ll want to mix it up a little as well, so we’re ready for anything.
“People know I always come to fight and with this being my second back-to-back fight against another undefeated world champion it makes this an exciting fight on paper and it should be even more exciting to see it live on September 18.”
In the main support bout undefeated super bantamweight Ra’eese ‘The Beast’ Aleem 18-0 (12) will meet Eduardo Baez 19-1-2 (6) over 12 stanzas.
“It’s great to be back fighting on Showtime,” Aleem said. “I’ve been waiting patiently, working hard in the gym and now it’s go time.
“Eduardo Baez is a good fighter who is trying to make a name for himself, but he’s standing in my way of becoming world champion and I’m going to take him out.
“I’m on a mission to prove I’m the king of the super bantamweight division, and the journey continues on September 18.”
Baez said: “I can’t wait for this opportunity against Ra’eese Aleem. Success is the most precious treasure. The more you are willing to pay, the more valuable the prize will be.
“I will win this fight and we will all scream ‘viva Mexico!’”
Further down the card world-rated bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell 18-0 (12) will face Alejandro Santiago Barrios 24-2-5 (13) who had to settle for a draw in his lone world title bid against IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas 33-1-2 (22) three years ago.
Russell is coming off a no-contest against former IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez 19-2 (12) in the middle of last month after an unintentional clash of heads caused a cut to Rodriguez that forced the bout to be halted but 16 seconds into the contest.
“I’m excited to be back after I trained so hard for my last fight before it ended early,” Russell said. “Now I’m just taking that same fight energy that I had for Emmanuel Rodriguez and bringing it on September 18 for my new opponent.”
Barrios said: “It has been a long road for me. I’ve been looking for another title fight or a rematch with Ancajas, ever since our draw.
“We decided to move up to 118-pounds and I’ve just remained focused and worked hard for the next opportunity. Now I get to share the ring with a great and talented fighter in Gary Antonio Russell.
“On September 18 I will leave everything in that ring, put on a great fight for all boxing fans and leave victorious.”
