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Angelo Leo vs. Stephen Fulton Jr.
Virtual Press Conference
Quotes
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 and 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 combined ring record of the six
fighters on the card is a remarkable 96 wins with just one
loss.
The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB
Promotions.
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 went on to defeat Tramaine
Williams by unanimous decision to capture the title and will
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 as 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 a lot of
looks to show and come January 23, I think Stephen Fulton
will bring that all out of me. I think it’s important, in
every fight, to go to the body. Like 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 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 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’s a lot more factors that play out. Not
just pressure. Not just body work. There are a lot of things
I have 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 a lot of people are doubting 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 having the fight against
Leo cancelled 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. Come 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 just 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 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.”
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 a number of
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 he 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 very impressive. 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 very important
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 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 are going to see some ‘0’s go on January
23. We’re looking forward to it.”
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