Stephen Fulton relishes his second chance to fight Angelo Leo for title

Stephen Fulton is adept at adjusting to challenges he faces in the ring. Turns out he can do that outside the ropes too.

Fulton was devastated when he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to pull out of his Aug. 1 fight with Angelo Leo for the vacant WBO 122-pound belt days before what would’ve been his first title shot.

The 26-year-old Philadelphian felt sorry for himself for a day or two and then he adjusted. He gets his shot against Leo on Jan. 23 (Showtime).

“I was very disappointed,” Fulton told Boxing Junkie. “I felt I let a lot of people down, including myself. Then I realized it was part of God’s plan. And I looked at it in a positive way. … I thought, ‘This happened for a reason.’

“Angelo Leo had his dream of becoming a world champion come true and I’ve had more time to prepare for the fight. It worked out for both of us.”

Stephen Fulton (left) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Arnold Khegai on Jan. 25. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II

Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) had to maintain that positive attitude as he battled the coronavirus, which hit him with the full spectrum of symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, you name it.

He never thought his life was in jeopardy but he suffered. And he gained an appreciation of what tens of millions of people worldwide have experienced.

“I saw what it was doing to me,” he said. “The changes in your body, the emotions. I wasn’t scared for myself. I thought about older people who have been dealing with this, some who didn’t make it out. I feel for them.

“It’s a life-changing situation. Your body is just pushed to the limit.”

Fulton recovered after a few months. He said he was 100% healthy “in October, November,” which allowed him to get back to work. His focus was his second opportunity to fight Leo, who had outpointed fill-in opponent Tramaine Williams to win the title.

Fulton saw what he expected to see from Leo that night, a pressure fighter who suffocates his opponents. That’s nothing new to him, he said. The quick, clever boxer saw a variety of styles in his substantial amateur career and has faced tougher opposition than Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) as a pro.

The way Fulton sees it, his opponent will be walking directly into his punches.

“His style is tailormade for me,” Fulton said. “… He’ll get hit with shots he won’t be able to see because he’ll be so busy pressuring me, trying to hurt me. That’s it. And I’ve been hurt before and got through it. I’m still undefeated.

“I’m a slick style of fighter, with good defense, good footwork, good movement. My jab is awesome. The only thing he has to rely on is pressure.”

Fulton was told that Floyd Mayweather, Leo’s promoter, suggested that his protégé attack Fulton the way aggressive Marcos Maidana did against him.

His reaction? “Mayweather can’t fight for him.”

This is Fulton’s moment, the opportunity he lost in late July. He was motivated then, as the stakes were high. Now? After what he went through – physically and emotionally – a victory on Jan. 23 will mean that much more to him.

And he believes it will be more dramatic.

“There’s a better story behind it now,” he said. “The kid from Philadelphia loses his title shot but comes back around and picks it right back up.”

Good story, indeed.