Angleo Leo aims to prove doubters wrong vs. Stephen Fulton

Angelo Leo relishes the biggest victory of his career, a wide decision over late replacement Tramaine Williams on Aug. 1 that allowed him to realize a dream of winning a world title.

Knowledgeable observers evidently aren’t convinced that Leo is the real deal, though. He’ll have to beat the man who he was supposed to have fought that night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., to get their respect.

That opportunity comes on Jan. 23 in the same ring, where he’ll make the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against Stephen Fulton.

Fulton had to pull out of the earlier fight after contracting COVID-19 but is healthy now. And the slick, athletic boxer from Philadelphia is a slight favorite to beat the new titleholder.

“Fulton has been on TV a lot more than I have,” Leo told Boxing Junkie. “A lot more people have seen him fight, they know his name. I’m the new kid on the block. That will change with time.

“If I keep winning, people will recognize who I am.”

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) certainly made the most of opportunity presented to him on in August.

The product of Albuquerque learned only a few days before the fight that Fulton was out and Williams was in, which required adjustment. He had been preparing for Fulton, who fights from an orthodox stance. Williams is lefthanded.

Still, Leo, who relies on relentless pressure, a brutal body attack and conditioning, dominated his capable opponent. He won by scores of 118-110 (10 rounds to two), 118-110 and 117-111.

And it didn’t matter to him that it was Williams who he defeated to win his coveted trinket at 26 years old. He never dreamed about who would be across the ring from him, only having the shiny belt wrapped around his waist after the fact.

At the same time, he understands that the realization of one goal leads to another. He’s just getting started.

“It was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s something I worked my whole life for. Ever since I was 10 years old I dreamed of becoming a world champion, to have the strap around me. That’s not the end of it, though.

“They has everyone will be gunning for you after you win a title. That being said, I’m training harder. I have to keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

Leo understands that Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) poses a significant challenge, which is why every oddsmaker Boxing Junkie could find had Fulton as the favorite.

They don’t seem to care too much about the victory over Williams or the fact Leo has the type of style – pressure, body attack – to slow down an opponent who relies on technique and his quickness.

Leo is promoted by Floyd Mayweather, a master boxer who understands the problems a fighter with Leo’s style can create. Marcos Maidana, whose style was similar to Leo’s, gave Mayweather fits at times by staying on top of him in their two-fight series in 2014.

Is that the blueprint for Leo against Fulton?

“That’s what Floyd told me,” Leo said. “He said, ‘Watch my fight against Maidana. That’s how you have to go in there.”

Leo insists he’s a better boxer than people might realize but, yes, Fulton can expect the titleholder to be in his face from beginning to end.

“It just comes up with has a better style, who can adapt the most,” Leo said. “It’s two contrasting styles. You have a boxer and you have a pressure fighter. One can beat the other. It all depends on the details.

“That being said I think the pressure will make him uncomfortable.”

Just as it did against Williams.