•  Stephen Fulton Jr. 121.9 lbs. vs. Naoya Inoue 121.7lbs
(Fulton’s WBO & WBC Junior Featherweight World Titles— 12 Rounds)

   •   Robeisy Ramirez 125.7 lbs vs. Satoshi Shimizu 125.7 lbs
(Ramirez’s WBO Featherweight World Title — 12 Rounds)

•    Kanamu Sakama107.5 lbs vs. Ryu Horikawa 107.8 lbs 
 (Light Flyweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Yoshiki Takei 118.8 lbs vs. Ronnie Baldonado 117.5 lbs 
 (Junior Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

TOKYO (July 22, 2023) —  Three-division world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue  (24-0, 21 KOs) will embark on his quest to conquer a fourth weight class as he challenges WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs)this Tuesday, July 25 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan

In the 12-round co-feature, Cuban sensation Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO featherweight world title against Japanese contender Satoshi Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs).

Fulton-Inoue, Ramirez-Shimizu and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. starting at 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT.

At Saturday’s press conference, this is what Inoue and Ramirez had to say:

Naoya Inoue

“Coming up to junior featherweight to be able to challenge Stephen Fulton for the title has given me great motivation. I get excited thinking about this fight and about how I will perform. I’ve been watching film of Fulton, and I think he is a very intelligent fighter.” 

“I haven’t been a challenger in five years, and that has heightened my motivation as well. I think I will be able to perform better than before.”

“Due to my injury, the fight had to be rescheduled for the 25th. And I feel grateful for the cooperation from all the people involved in the promotion and Team Fulton to make this happen. And because of that gratitude, I want to fight with everything I have on the 25th.”

Robeisy Ramirez

“I feel great. We’ve had a great training camp. I’m very happy to be in Japan and to get to know this country and its culture. I’m ready for everything that lies ahead.”

“I don’t know much about my opponent, but as I have said since this fight was presented to me, we all know that Japanese fighters are warriors. I hope he is ready because I am coming at 100 percent.”

“This is my first defense, and it’s always super important for any champion. This is the next step on my way to becoming the best featherweight in the world. I’m going to be me and have fun, the Robeisy that everyone knows inside the ring.”

Tuesday, July 25

ESPN+ (4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT)
 

Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue, 12 rounds, Fulton’s WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight World Titles 

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Satoshi Shimizu, 12 rounds, Ramirez’s WBO Featherweight World Title 

Kanamu Sakama vs. Ryu Horikawa, 8 rounds, Light Flyweight 

Yoshiki Takei vs. Ronnie Baldonado, 8 rounds, Junior Featherweight 

# # #

About ESPN+  
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).  

(July 21, 2023) — American fight fans will be treated to “Breakfast With The Monster” this Tuesday, July 25, as Naoya “Monster” Inoue attempts to dethrone WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) aims to become a four-weight world champion after attaining undisputed status as a bantamweight. Many experts regard him as the world’s pound-for-pound king, and he looks to bolster that claim with a win over Philadelphia native Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs). “Cool Boy Steph” has not fought since June 2022, when he dominated former unified world champion Danny Roman over 12 rounds.

Fulton-Inoue and undercard action will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. starting at 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT.

The ESPN+ stream is also scheduled to include the following bouts:

• Cuban sensation Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO featherweight world title against Japanese contender Satoshi Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs). Ramirez snatched the vacant title in April with a one-sided decision over former junior featherweight world champion Isaac Dogboe. Shimizu, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, has won three straight bouts since a 2019 TKO defeat to Joe Noynay.
   
• In an eight-round light flyweight attraction, unbeaten knockout artist Kanamu Sakama (7-0, 6 KOs) steps up against Ryu Horikawa (3-1-2, 1 KO), who is coming off an eight-round draw against former flyweight world champion Sho Kimura.
   
• Japanese junior featherweight phenom Yoshiki Takei (6-0, 6 KOs) looks to make it lucky number seven in an eight-rounder versus Filipino veteran Ronnie Baldonado (16-4-1, 9 KOs). 

# # #
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).  

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee approved on Monday, June 5, 2023, that Marlon Tapales, WBA super bantamweight champion, will unify his belt against the winner of Naoya Inoue and Stephen Fulton. Meanwhile, Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Tomoki Kameda must meet in a final eliminator to determine the division’s mandatory challenger.

TOKYO (April 26, 2023) – Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez is ready to make the inaugural defense of his WBO featherweight world title against a fellow two-time Olympian. 

Ramirez will take on Japanese contender Satoshi “Diamond Left” Shimizu Tuesday, July 25, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Ramirez-Shimizu will serve as the co-feature to the world title showdown between Philadelphia’s WBC/WBO junior featherweight champion Stephen Fulton and Japan’s pound-for-pound king Naoya “Monster” Inoue.

Fulton-Inoue, Ramirez-Shimizu and additional undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Ramirez said, “Next stop, Japan! I am happy to announce my quick return to the ring in what will be the first defense of my WBO world championship. Fighting is what I do best, titles are meant to be defended, and there’s no stopping ‘El Tren!'”

Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, experienced a rocky start to his pro career following a split decision loss to Adan Gonzales in August 2019. However, after joining forces with Cuban trainer Ismael Salas, the 29-year-old has developed a more pro-friendly stye. He has remained undefeated since and avenged his loss to Gonzales in a 2020 rematch inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble. In 2022, Ramirez stopped Irish veteran Eric Donovan in February, starched then-unbeaten contender Abraham Nova in June, and defeated Jose Matias Romero via ninth-round TKO in October. In his last fight, the fighting pride of Cienfuegos, Cuba, soundly defeated former junior featherweight world champion Isaac Dogboe by unanimous decision to capture the WBO featherweight crown.

Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs) is a 37-year-old southpaw making his first attempt at a world title. Before turning pro, he represented Japan at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. In his first Olympiad, Shizmu was eliminated in his opening bout. Four years later, he moved down to bantamweight and earned a bronze medal, defeating Dogboe but losing to eventual gold medalist Luke Campbell. Shimizu has only tasted defeat once as a pro, a sixth-round TKO loss to Joe Noynay in 2019. His pro career is otherwise unblemished, having knocked out 10 of 11 opponents across an almost seven-year span. 

# # #
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

(March 22, 2023) – Stephen Fulton’s WBO/WBC junior featherweight world title defense against Naoya Inoue — originally scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan — has been postponed due to a training injury suffered by Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue will be rescheduled for July, with a new date to be announced in due course.
 
The main event and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will make his third world title defense and second as a unified champion since defeating Brandon Figueroa in one of the best fights of 2021. Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), the sport’s pound-for-pound king, is a three-division world champion who is making his junior featherweight debut after defeating Paul Butler last December to become the undisputed bantamweight world champion.

# # #

 
About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

YOKOHAMA, Japan (March 6, 2023) — Naoya “Monster” Inoue conquered the bantamweight division. He’s now moving up in weight to capture the biggest fish at 122 pounds.

Philadelphia’s WBC & WBO junior featherweight world champion, Stephen Fulton, will defend his titles against Japan’s pound-for-pound king Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. The showdown pits two of the world’s top fighters, as Inoue aims to become only the fifth Asian boxer to win world titles in four weight classes.

Fulton-Inoue and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ in a special early-morning presentation.

Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) is 19-0 with 17 knockouts in world title fights, a championship run that started in 2014 when he knocked out Adrian Hernandez for the WBC light flyweight world title. He went on to rule the junior bantamweight division with seven title defenses, including a second-round stoppage over Omar Narvaez. At bantamweight, Inoue became the division’s first undisputed champion in a half-century, stopping Emmanuel Rodriguez in two rounds to win the IBF strap, outlasting Nonito Donaire in the 2019 Fight of the Year to add the WBA belt, starching Donaire in the second round of their June 2022 rematch to snatch the WBC title, and stopping then-WBO champion Paul Butler in the 11th round. Inoue vacated all four bantamweight titles to move up four pounds for a shot at “Cool Boy Steph.”

Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in 2014 and defeated five undefeated prospects in his first 12 bouts. In January 2021, he defeated Angelo Leo to capture the WBO junior featherweight world title. Ten months later, he added the WBC belt to his collection with a majority decision over then-unbeaten Brandon Figueroa in one of the year’s most action-packed championship showdowns. Fulton defended both titles last June with a one-sided unanimous decision over former unified world champion Daniel Roman. Fulton will enter the Inoue bout, his first away from American soil, coming off an 11-month layoff. The 28-year-old Fulton, however, is the naturally bigger man, holding advantages in height and reach.

# # #

About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

LAS VEGAS, NV (September 7, 2022) – After an impressive performance this past Sunday, Ra’eese “The Beast” Aleem (20-0, 12 KOs), lived up to his moniker as he clearly defeated “Magic” Mike Plania (26-2, 13 KOs), via a ten-round dominate unanimous decision, in a manner unlike any fighter had prior. Aleem ended Plania’s 11-fight winning streak on the undercard of Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Luis Ortiz, a PBC on FS1 event.

It is clear Aleem wants unified super bantamweight champion, Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), as he stated this after the fight. Aleem has earned the right to fight Fulton, and a shot at a world title, and here is why.

World Rankings

Aleem is currently ranked #4 in the world according to BoxRec.com, and #2 in the United States behind Fulton by that same rating metric. Aleem also won a bout that made him WBO NABO champion, improving his ranking in the WBO 122 lbs. division, a division in which Fulton is the champion. Aleem previously was the #1 contender in the WBA world rankings as well.

An Easy Fight to Make 

Furthermore, Aleem is undefeated in twenty professional fights with twelve wins by way of knockout, having fought several times on Showtime, the same network that Fulton won his world title on. In addition, the fight is very easy to make since all the parties involved have all fought under the PBC banner.

“I wish the politics of boxing didn’t play such a big role in the sport, but it does and Murodjon Akhmadaliev, the other unified champion in the division, is on the other side of the fence with another network,” said Aleem. “I fight on Showtime and have fought on this network several times, including on the same fight cards as Stephen Fulton. I have served as a co-main event to his headlining bouts on two different occasions. I know fight fans really want to see this fight, especially after my last performance on Sunday. Now I just need the media to demand it.”

No Other Fighter Makes Sense for Fulton Right Now

No other fighter is available as Luis Nery, the #1 contender to face Fulton, is scheduled for a fight soon, and Akhmadaliev is looking to make a world title defense, along with network politics getting in the way of that fight.

In terms of a fight in the United States, no other fight for Fulton offers the anticipation as Ra’eese Aleem. Aleem is getting fans, and even veteran broadcasters like Al Bernstein, wondering what would happen if the two were to fight.

“We both fight on PBC, either he vacates, or he fights me, it is really simple,” said Aleem with frustration. “I think it’s funny he’s using that language, sounds like he’s deflecting, maybe he is scared to fight, in response to veteran broadcaster Al Bernstein’s tweet. I have never been one to trash-talk anyone, but it appears Fulton has a lot of nervous energy around this fight, and is lashing out at people who are excited by this potential match-up. People consider him the best fighter in the super bantamweight division, which is why I want to fight, because I believe I can beat him. This is a big money fight for both of us, and he should embrace it, instead he’s being spineless with his responses.”

Earned His Way Here

Aleem has waited for years for a title shot as he battled his way up from the club circuit, onto television, to get his chance to face the best. Aleem is a former WBA #1 contender who has faced faced five consecutive tough opponents. 

Those opponents include:

• Mike Plania, who was coming in on an eleven-fight winning streak.
• Eduardo Baez, who would face Emanuel Navarrete in his next fight, and give him a hard fight as well.
• Vic Pasillas, who was undefeated at the time, and being touted by veteran broadcasters as a future world champion. 
• Marcus Bates, a fighter who Aleem defeated to take his undefeated record, who he faced in a televised rematch, and was victorious a second time.
• Adam Lopez was a tough contender who never fought again after being stopped by Aleem.

Aleem earned his position in the sport by fighting the toughest opponents he could face without backing down from a challenge. Aleem never turned down and opponent and dominated fights against elite competition on numerous occasions, including his last performance on Sunday. Each of Aleem’s televised fights has seen him improve into the world title challenger that he rightfully is today.

“I am motivated by the fans, broadcasters, and media members who are demanding to see this fight,” concluded Aleem. “Hearing the public say it, and the way he is behaving makes it clear, I am Stephen Fulton’s biggest threat in the division. In today’s world, we need the greatest fighters to chase glory, and see who is truly the best. I am tired of boxing being a second-tier sport that is ignored because we neglect the fans from getting the fights they want to see. I want to make the best fights possible but Fulton is running scared. Let’s be honest, it makes no sense for either of us to fight anyone else at this point. I rise to the occasion every time I step in the ring, and this will be no different. If given the chance I will be the man to beat Stephen Fulton.”

LAS VEGAS, NV (June 6, 2022) – This past Saturday at the Armory in Minneapolis, MN, super featherweight rising star, DJ “The War Machine” Zamora, improved to (9-0, 8 KOs), scoring a second round TKO against Raul Chirino (19-15, 12 KOs). The scheduled six-round bout was part of the super-bantamweight unification clash between current unified champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and former unified champion Danny Roman.

In the opening round, Zamora dropped Chirino with a straight left, forcing him to go into retreat mode. In round two, Zamora dropped him two more times, once with a left hook to the body, and the other with a straight left, right hook combination up top. The referee stopped the fight at the 1:43 mark after seeing Chirino was still on wobbly legs.

With the victory, Zamora, who hails from Las Vegas, stated he is ready to get right back in the ring with anyone they put in front of him.

“I wanted to come out here and make a statement against an opponent who has been in the ring with some notable fighters,” said Zamora, who recently turned 19-year-old. “I have big dreams of fighting the best in the division. My goal of course is to become a world champion one day, but I know I have to work my way up the rankings.”

Zamora has sparred some of the best fighters in boxing, which include Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, and Ra’eese Aleem to name a few. He credits his experience sparing in his hometown of Las Vegas against the best as to one of the reasons he’s so sharp. 

“When you are sparring guys like Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson, it’s only natural that you become a more polished fighter,” continued Zamora. “When I was younger, I was around Floyd Mayweather and his uncle Roger. I’ve always enjoyed learning from the best in the business. Right now I’m feeling great and I’m looking forward to getting right back in the ring when my name is called.”

Stephen Fulton retained the WBC/WBO Super Bantamweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decision over former unified champion Danny Roman at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Fulton landed 218 of 603 punches. Roman was 113 of 673.

Fulton, 121.5 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109 and is now 21-0. Roman, 121.5 lbs of Los Angeles is now 29-4-1.

“I made a hell of a statement tonight,” said Fulton, who improved to 21-0 with eight knockouts. “I prepared for this and I told y’all I was going to make it easy and fight depending on how I wake up, and I woke up feeling good.”

“There’s no excuse,” said Roman, who dropped to 29-4-1 with 10 knockouts. “I think this fight proves who the best 122-pound fighter in the division is. Fulton did that tonight. He proved it. I wish him the best and I hope he goes and achieves what I couldn’t achieve. Go become undisputed. Like I said, this fight proved who is the best in the division. Fulton was the better man tonight.”

“It was very important to control the distance tonight,” said Fulton. “Like I said before, in the last outing with Brandon Figueroa, I didn’t have the energy because I didn’t make the weight the right way. So shout out to my dietician. Any moment he had, I took it right away from him. I neutralized the threat.”

“Fulton knew how to use his distance,” said Roman. “It was hard for me to adjust to his distance because he was boxing. He came in and came out. He changed his style so it was hard for me to adjust.”

“I started walking him down because I saw that he had been slowing down,” said Fulton of the final rounds. “I feel like the more I kept boxing, the more I just got a little tired of boxing. Me trying to walk forward to him wasn’t going to happen all the time, but I definitely saw him slowing down. I wanted to stop him but I didn’t get that.”

“I started walking him down because I saw that he had been slowing down,” said Fulton of the final rounds. “I feel like the more I kept boxing, the more I just got a little tired of boxing. Me trying to walk forward to him wasn’t going to happen all the time, but I definitely saw him slowing down. I wanted to stop him but I didn’t get that.”

Morrell Stops Morrell in 4; Retains Super Middleweight Title

David Morrell retained the WBA Super Middleweight title with a four-round beatdown of Kalvin Henderson.

In round one, Henderson was cut over his left eye. Morrell landed some huge punches and had Henderson in trouble various times throughout the contest until referee Luis Pabon stopped the bout at 2:35.

Morrell, 166.5 lbs of Minneapolis, MN is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Henderson, 167.5 lbs of Fort Worth, Texas is now 15-2-1.

“I’m excited,” said Morrell. “Thank you everyone for coming out to The Armory. I’m just happy, man. I’m happy. I’m so excited every time I fight in my new home in Minnesota. I made this place my home.”

“We knew that he wanted to come out strong like he did, but we wanted to show that his punches weren’t doing anything,” said Henderson. “We were picking off most of those shots. We were trying to wear him out, and the game plan was working but he landed some shots and the referee called it.”

“I want to thank my trainer Ronnie Shields, who did an excellent job today,” said Morrell. “That’s what our game plan was, to be concentrated and if I didn’t get him by the end of the first round, I was looking to get him in the later rounds.”

“I’m a fighter at heart and I compete so when he stopped the fight, I was upset,” said Henderson. “But I understand, the referee is just doing his job.”

“It’s David Benavidez, it’s Caleb Plant, it’s Anthony Dirrell, it’s whoever wants to get in the ring with me,” said Morrell. “I’m ready for any of them.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 3, 2022) – Las Vegas’ Demler “DJ” Zamora (8-0, 7 KOs), will be in a six-round featherweight fight against Raul Chirino (19-14, 12 KOs), as part of the off-television undercard of this weekend’s super-bantamweight unification clash between current unified champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and former unified champion Danny Roman, taking place, this Saturday, June 4th, on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

“I am working my way up on these big cards,” said Zamora, the 19-year-old sensation about his upcoming bout. “I’m eager to have an explosive performance and earn my spot on the televised portion very shortly. I want to thank my team for getting me on such a high-profile card so early on in my career, and now I am just looking to constantly grow and get better. I know I have what it takes to be something special in this sport, but now I must show the world and get people talking. My goal for this fight is to get a win that gets people excited about seeing me fight”

Zamora will face Chirino, who has faced Luis Alberto Lopez, Omar Juarez, and Brandon Figueroa, amongst others and is a step-up in competition bout.

“I am excited to compare myself to other great fighters who have fought Chirino,” continued Zamora. “I know that I have to continue being humble, and work hard, but to see how I stack up against top contenders and world champions with a comparable opponent is a good feeling that has me excited. I am excited to be in Minnesota fighting under the bright lights, and big banners, on a world title card. I worked my whole life for moments like this, and now I’m going to show the world who I am.”

WBC & WBO 122-Pound Unified World Championship – 12 Rounds

Stephen Fulton Jr. – 121 ½ lbs.

Danny Roman – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Mike Fitzgerald (Wis.), Patrick Morley (Ill.), Nathan Palmer (Ind.)

WBA Super Middleweight Title – 12 Rounds

David Morrell – 166 ½ lbs.

Kalvin Henderson – 167 ½ lbs.

Referee: Luis Pabon; Judges: David Iacobucci (Texas), Mark Nelson (Minn.), Pasquale Procopio (Canada)

The telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from The Armory in Minneapolis and starts with a replay of Gervonta Davis’ sensational stoppage of Rolando Romero last Saturday night. ALL ACCESS: DAVIS VS. ROMERO Epilogue will premiere immediately following the conclusion of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

Versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will host SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® and handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Noted combat sports authority and SHOBOX^® analyst Brian Campbell will serve as the ringside reporter while two more Hall of Famers round out the most decorated telecast team in the sport: Boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer and world-renowned Jimmy Lennon Jr. as the ring announcer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy^® award winner David Dinkins, Jr. and the director is Chuck McKean. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX analyst Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as expert analyst in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

# # #

ABOUT FULTON VS. ROMAN 

Fulton vs. Roman will see unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event and the replay of Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ sensational stoppage of Rolando “Rolly” Romero last Saturday night in Brooklyn, N.Y.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FultonRoman, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

MINNEAPOLIS – June 2, 2022 – Unified WBC and WBO 122-pound world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. and former unified champion Danny Roman went face to face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the SHOWTIME main event this Saturday, June 4 from The Armory in Minneapolis in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The press conference also featured WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. and Kalvin Henderson previewing their co-main event showdown on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Kicking off the telecast will be the premiere of Gervonta Davis’ sensational stoppage of Rolando Romero last Saturday night as he defended his WBA Lightweight Title in front of a star-studded, sold-out crowd that included celebrities across the entertainment and sporting gamut.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. The Fulton vs. Roman fight is promoted in association with Thompson Boxing.

Philadelphia’s Fulton will look for another signature victory on Saturday, after unifying super bantamweight titles last November by winning a close decision over Brandon Figueroa in one of 2021’s best fights. He will be opposed by Los Angeles’ Roman, who can regain his unified status in the division in a matchup built to deliver fireworks.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“I’ve been recognized more since unifying the titles and it feels great to be able to take pictures with my fans.

“It meant everything to me to unify the belts because I said I wanted to do that. When I won my first title in early 2021 and then unified later in the year, that was an amazing feeling because I’ve been through some things leading up to that fight. Not just my camp, but home. So there was a lot going on with me. But mentally I was there and I stuck through it and unified and now I’m here.

“The last four fighters I faced were undefeated, so I’m used to this road. I always step up to the occasion. I always show up when I get to these stages. My whole life has been like that. Right now I am living in the moment. I haven’t been looking past anything. We’re living for today. So when Saturday comes, I’m going to live for it and have fun and I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy defeating him.

“It feels good to be in the position and be the hunted. It feels good to be in this position because I’ve called him out when he had his titles and they didn’t look my direction. But then when they didn’t have the titles they looked my direction because I had it. Now I’m giving him the opportunity that he didn’t give me.

“You’ve all seen I can fight on the inside, I can fight on the outside. I can fight whichever way I want. So how I wake up Saturday morning is going to determine how I fight Saturday night. I can do whatever I want. I don’t have one style to me.

“He’s lost three times, and maybe one draw. There’s four ways to get to him. There’s no way to get to me yet. There’s no one who’s figured that out.

“I’m more focused. I’m hungry. It’s gonna be a good fight. Just be there. I’m going to have fun. I’m going to have a ball in that ring. I feel like when I took it serious earlier in my career, I wasn’t having any fun. Now I’m taking the risk. That’s why I picked him and chose him.”

DANNY ROMAN

“This is the biggest opportunity of my life and we’re here to take advantage of it. I’ve had obstacles too. When I lost my titles to MJ, [Murodjon Akhmadaliev] there were politics involved. But that’s boxing and now I’m focused on who’s in front of me now and that’s Stephen Fulton. I’m not overlooking my opponent.

“It’s been a year since I last fought, and I’m paying attention to that. This opportunity doesn’t come around twice so I know what I have to do to get that ‘W.’ I’ve been in his position before and you don’t want to lose those belts. I was a unified champion too. So I know what it takes. He’s going to try and look his best, and I’m going to go in there and give everything I have to get him.

“This fight will be like a chess game and whoever can make the right adjustments will win the fight.

“We’re going to have fun. I expect a great fight. He’s giving his best, I’m giving my best.

“It means everything to represent my Mexican-American culture. We’re just another step away toward making history just like the great Mexican fighters. It means a lot.

“We’re here to win, and we’re going to win.”

DAVID MORRELL JR.

“I came here from Cuba in 2019 and I’m so happy that I was able to follow the guidance of Luis DeCubas Sr. and be embraced so much by the state of Minnesota. It has allowed me to pursue my dreams and be at a high level in my career as a fighter in Minneapolis. Every fight that I have here at The Armory becomes more meaningful. The support of the people here means absolutely everything to me.

“I’m glad that Henderson has the confidence that he thinks he’s going to win. I appreciate that. But it’s a shame that he’s going to go home with a loss. I’m happy that he’s confident like that because we’re going to put on a great show. But at the same time, when he says that he’s going to come and win, that’s not going to happen.

“Me and my team are totally focused on Henderson on Saturday night. After, if you want me to talk about David Benavidez, I know I can fight against Benavidez because I have the courage that’s necessary to fight against somebody like Benavidez. I have the guts. I’m a champion and I know I can do it.

“This fight is all about opening more doors for me. In more than one way. First of all, this is my first time fighting on SHOWTIME. I won’t take that for granted. I know that if I perform well on this stage, doors will open for me with SHOWTIME and with my career. Winning this fight is going to allow me to fulfil the projects and the fights that I want to have later on in my career and later on this year.

“My prediction for Saturday is that I will be happy. I don’t have time for pain. I’m too happy right now. My little brother asked me for a knockout between rounds one and five, and I guess I’ll have to come through for him. That’s my prediction.”

KALVIN HENDERSON

“This is a huge opportunity. I have a huge chance to come in here and try to dethrone the champ. I just want you guys to know that we’re not  here to say, ‘We’re here for the experience.’ Or just to say, ‘We got an opportunity to fight for the title.’ We’re here to fight and we’re here to win.

“All of the pressure is off of me. Everybody’s expecting me to come in here and lose and lay down. The pressure is on the champ. We’re in his hometown in America. Everybody is expecting him to do great things, so I just have to go in there and show out and do what I do best.

“He’s supposed to feel that he’s going to win. He’s the champ. He’s 6-0 with five KOs. He’s already fought in Minnesota a few times. He’s supposed to feel that way. And I feel the same way too. So we’re going to see on Saturday night.

“I don’t think he’s overlooking me. I think he’s taking this fight very seriously and he’s trained very seriously for this fight. But so did I. In the past, I’ve also messed up my opponents’ future plans for fights after that. That’s what we’re going to do on Saturday. Mess up all his future plans.

“I ain’t worried about the crowd being pro-Morrell. It’s not my first time doing this and skills travel. My prediction for this fight is pain.”

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ABOUT FULTON VS. ROMAN 

Fulton vs. Roman will see unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FultonRoman, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

MINNEAPOLIS – May 31, 2022 – Former unified super bantamweight world champion Danny Roman shared insight into his training camp and more as he nears his showdown to regain top billing against unified WBC and WBO 122-Pound World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. taking place this Saturday, June 4 live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. The Fulton vs. Roman fight is promoted in association with Thompson Boxing.

The Los Angeles-native Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) first became a champion in September 2017 when he traveled to Japan to stop Shun Kubo and capture the WBA belt. After three successful defenses, Roman added the IBF title in a 2019 action fight against then unbeaten T.J. Doheny. Following a narrow split-decision loss to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in 2020, Roman bounced back with dominating victories over Juan Carlos Payano in September 2020 and Ricardo Espinoza in May 2021.

Now, he will look to regain his unified status at 122-pounds against the fast-rising Fulton in a matchup of highly-skilled and aggressive combatants. Here is what Roman had to say ahead of Saturday’s showdown:

On his matchup with Stephen Fulton Jr.:

“I’m up against a very skilled fighter who doesn’t have many flaws, but every man has a weakness, and I’m going to exploit Fulton’s. I believe my style will be very difficult for him to adjust to. He’s never been in the ring with an experienced fighter like me. I know what needs to be done to be victorious in this fight. The world will see a greatly improved version of myself in this fight. I’ll be throwing a lot of punches till the final bell and I’m preparing to go the distance.”

On fighting for another world championship:

“I’ve worked my way back to this position with a lot of sacrifice, dedication and perseverance. These opportunities don’t come by for most fighters, so I’m grateful to my entire team for believing in me and sticking by my side. I’m fighting for two world titles, this time for the WBC and WBO belts, and best believe I’m going to leave everything in the ring.”

On his recent training camp:

“I’ve added some elite strength and conditioning to my weekly workouts for this camp and I feel stronger than ever. In addition, I’m super focused on my diet and eating correctly. I’ve paced myself perfectly in this camp, and I know on fight night I’ll be peaking.”

On fighting once again on SHOWTIME:

“I’ve never lost a fight on SHOWTIME, so it’s fair to say I relish the fact that I’m fighting on this network. Everyone knows that if you’ve fought on SHOWTIME, you’ve made it to the pinnacle of boxing. SHOWTIME is legendary for having shown some of the greatest fights in boxing history. I’m hoping my fight with Fulton lives up to the great fights of the past.”

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ABOUT FULTON VS. ROMAN
Fulton vs. Roman will see unified WBC and WBO 122-Pound World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FultonRoman, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

MINNEAPOLIS – May 10, 2022 – Unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. promised victoryand former unified champion Danny Roman predicted a Fight of the Yearduring a virtual press conference on Tuesday to preview their much-anticipated title showdown before headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The virtual press conference also featured WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. and Kalvin Henderson discussing their duel which serves as the co-main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

After unifying titles in a 2021 Fight of the Year against Brandon Figueroa on SHOWTIME last November, Philadelphia’s Fulton returns to action against the exciting Los Angeles-native Roman, who seeks to become a unified champion at 122-pounds for the second time in a matchup built to deliver fireworks. In the co-main event, Morrell will look to thrill the fans in his adopted hometown once again and extend his knockout streak to four against Henderson, after a 2021 that saw him twice score two KO’s at The Armory.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. The Fulton vs. Roman fight is promoted in association with Thompson Boxing.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“Everything has been great. Camp has been amazing and challenging for me training through Ramadan. Training with little energy during Ramadan actually helped me as far as making weight. Right now, I’m just looking forward to June 4.

“I’ve fought during Ramadan four years in a row and got knockouts. I already know how to prepare for a fight this way. My mental is just different when I’m fasting and on my spiritual journey. Those are the things that push me to the next level mentally. The fight game is more mental than physical anyway.

“Roman was doing a lot of tweeting at me saying that I was ducking, and I just didn’t say anything back and made the fight happen. I just want them to keep that same energy. I was presented with other fighters to face, and I chose Danny Roman. He deserved the opportunity, so I gave it to him.

“He’s a great fighter and you can’t take that away from him. I don’t understand how he didn’t get his rematch for his original belts, but I decided to give him the shot at mine.

“I expect Roman to be different against me than in any other fight. He’s looking to get back on top. I have to be smart and able to adapt. That’s what I do best.

“I don’t care what anyone on the outside thinks. I know what I am. I’m the unified champ. I only have to prove it to myself. I think since my last fight, I’ve changed my mentality. I’m not worried about anyone else, I’m taking these fights for me.

“The winner of this fight needs to go for undisputed. It’s the other side that wants to keep waiting. Those are the only fights that interest me. It’s all champions against other champions and top contenders for me. Once we take care of this fight, hopefully we go for undisputed next.

“Fans are going to see a victory. I guarantee a victory. I can’t say how it’s going to happen. Because my mood and mind changes every day. As of right now, just expect to see a smart boxer.

“I showed against Brandon Figueroa that I can do whatever it takes to get the job done. I boxed early in my career and I’ve fought toe-to-toe in recent bouts. I know what I’m capable of and I’m going to show you.

“Being in two dog fights back-to-back has only pushed me to an even higher level of confidence. I can do what I want in that ring at any time. Whenever I want to.”

DANNY ROMAN

“It’s been a great training camp. We’ve been getting ready for the best in the unified champion Stephen Fulton. It’s a fight you have to see. We’re going to have the same energy that I’ve had on social media. You can consider him the best in the division right now. He’s the champion I want right now.

“We know that Stephen Fulton can make the right adjustments. It’s going to depend on the fight he brings and the fight I bring. Whoever makes the best adjustments is going to win the fight. You could say it will be like a chess match. I can do a little bit of everything and he can do a little bit of everything as well. It depends who makes the right adjustments that night.

“This is a fight where I can earn a lot of respect. That’s what every fighter wants. Even when I became a unified champion, they still had me below the other champions. I think that goes for Fulton as well. Everybody is trying to prove themselves as the best in the division. This is the fight. I’m fighting against who is considered the best in the division and I get a chance to be back on top.

“It’s true that when I was the champion, Fulton was calling me out and I didn’t give him the chance. He called me out and I had different plans. I wanted to unify the belts and be undisputed. I’m thankful that he’s given me the chance to fight him now that he’s champion.

“Fans should expect a great fight and even a Fight of the Year. We always go out there and fight our heart out. We’ll give the best that we can for the people and I know Fulton is going to do the same. He’s the unified champion defending his belts. I want those belts, so it will be a great night.

“My fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev was a close fight and I still believe I won. Then I didn’t get the rematch, so now two-and-a-half years later, I’m getting another chance to get back on top so I’m more than thankful for that.

“Fulton fought a good fight against Brandon Figueroa. He was smart and made good adjustments during the fight. It was a close one but he took it, so respect to him.

“We’ve been in situations like this before. Important fights. Now, I’m the challenger. I’m challenging Fulton for the two titles so mentally, I’m ready. I’ve been through this road already and I know what it takes. I’ve trained hard like I always do. Mentally and physically, I feel prepared.

“This is my chance. It doesn’t come twice, especially against a unified champion. I’m one step away from becoming a unified champion again. This is for everything. Either you do this, or you don’t. I’m more than excited and I feel more than ready. I hope Fulton feels the same way. Let’s give the people what they want to see. They want to see a great fight, so let’s give it to them.”

DAVID MORRELL JR.

“I have a lot of respect for Henderson and I’m excited for this fight. Henderson is a quality opponent and I’m looking forward to fighting him. I’ve won by knockout in Minneapolis all three times I’ve fought there and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again on June 4.

“This is a huge platform for me to show the world what I’m capable of. I’m ready to take advantage of it. I’m here to prove my worth to everyone watching at The Armory and around the world.

“I’m 100% ready for the biggest fights at super middleweight. This is a great chance for the winner to show that they’re among the elite 168-pound fighters.

“I don’t really see any limitations or weaknesses in Henderson as a fighter. I’m just going to go out there and have fun and do my job. The rest will be decided on June 4.

“I got to spend 10 weeks training with Ronnie Shields, as opposed to only three weeks before my last fight, and it could not have been better. We just have incredible chemistry. At this point we’re just putting on the finishing touches and getting ready to be 100% on fight night.

“There’s nothing I love more than fighting on the big stage. That’s what motivates me more than anything in the world. I’m just looking to take advantage of the stage that’s been set for me. 

“On June 4 it’s going to be the fourth anniversary of me leaving Cuba and not being able to see my family. I’m glad that there will be an easier and more convenient path for Cuban fighters to reach their dream. As long as it’s legit and pro boxing is truly allowed there, then it will really make me happy.

“I’m coming to put on a show like I always do and give the fans what they deserve. I can’t wait for this fight.”

KALVIN HENDERSON

“I know Morrell has a strong amateur background and good skills, but all the pressure is on him. We’re in his hometown. He’s undefeated and I have one loss, so I don’t have that burden on my back. I’m going to use my skill set and put my hands on him.

“It doesn’t get bigger than this. This is what people dream about when they first start boxing. I know that a game opponent will bring the best out of me, so everyone should expect to see the best of both of us on June 4.

“This fight is a way to show your worth. We also know that winning fights isn’t good enough, it’s how you win that gets you to those top fights that everyone wants to see.

“On paper this may look like a big step up for me, but it’s not much different than what I’ve faced in the amateurs or sparring in the gym. I just have to prove that to everyone else, because we see it in the gym every day.

“I suffered an injury in the third round of my loss. I had a great game plan but the injury threw us off of that. I have heart, so I kept going with that injury and didn’t make any excuses. We just went back to the drawing board.

“When I first turned pro in 2016 I was fighting in the amateurs at 165 pounds, so the logical choice was 160. I realized how hard those extra five pounds were, so around fight eight or nine we moved up to 168. We’ve been there ever since. I’ve fought at higher weights only because my opponents couldn’t make 168. That’s the division I’m focused on.

“Boxing is all about proving yourself to the rest of the world. That’s what we’re looking forward to doing on June 4.”

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ABOUT FULTON VS. ROMAN 

Fulton vs. Roman will see unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FultonRoman, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

MINNEAPOLIS – April 8, 2022 – Unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event.

“Fans at The Armory in Minneapolis and watching on SHOWTIME are in for another treat on June 4 with a battle between unified champion Stephen Fulton and former unified champion Danny Roman that is destined to deliver dramatic action,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Adding in the exciting rising star David Morrell Jr. returning to fight in his adopted hometown against Kalvin Henderson, and June 4 is lined up to be another can’t-miss night of high-stakes fights.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. The Fulton vs. Roman fight is promoted in association with Thompson Boxing.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) faced impressive competition while rising up the 122-pound rankings to earn the opportunity that saw him become world champion and eventually a unified champion. In his last 14 fights, the 27-year-old has beaten eight previously undefeated fighters. After taking the title from Angelo Leo in January 2021, he edged out Brandon Figueroa in November to unify titles in one of the year’s best and most action-packed fights. Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.

“I’m ready to defend my titles once again against ‘Danny boy’,” said Fulton. “I expect Roman to be excited and on point. He’s looking at this fight as a comeback, so he’ll be ready. This is his biggest fight to date. Fight fans should just make sure to tune in to this fight because when I fight I always put on a great show and June 4 won’t be any different.”

Ranked in the top five by the WBC, WBO and IBF, Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) will have a chance to regain his unified 122-pound championship status on June 4. The 31-year-old from Los Angeles has won back-to-back fights, earning unanimous decision victories over former champion Juan Carlos Payano in September 2020 and Ricardo Espinoza Franco in May 2021. Roman first became world champion in 2017, when he stopped Shun Kubo for the WBA title. Roman would go on to unify titles by beating TJ Doheny for his IBF strap in 2019, before losing a narrow split decision to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January 2020.

“Words can’t describe how excited I am to be back in the ring, fighting for the world titles on SHOWTIME,” said Roman. “Fulton is an undefeated champion who has never tasted defeat, but I have plans to take his belts. I have confidence in myself that I’m going to come out on top based on my skill and experience. I’m having a great camp and the fans should be tuning in because I’m going to be in the best shape of my life. I’m grateful to my team for working hard to make this fight happen. I’m going to make this fight a war on June 4.”

Now based in Minneapolis, Morrell (6-0, 5 KOs) has shown off the prodigious talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s iconic amateur scene since arriving stateside in 2019. The 24-year-old captured an interim title by dominating then unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, thrilled the crowd at The Armory in his adopted hometown twice in 2021. He stopped the previously unbeaten Mario Cazares in round one in June before dominating veteran contender Alantez Fox on his way to a fourth-round stoppage in December.

“I’m super excited to be able to have the opportunity to fight in my second home of Minneapolis,” said Morrell. “I’m ready to shine at The Armory once again on June 4. It’s going to be an amazing feeling to have that support on fight night and I’m working hard in training to make sure I can deliver for the fans.”

The 31-year-old Henderson (15-1-1, 11 KOs) has won three of his last four fights, including three stoppage victories in 2021. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Henderson bounced back from a decision loss against unbeaten Isiah Steen to stop Robert Burwell in his most recent outing in October. Henderson turned pro in 2016, winning his first 12 bouts before a majority draw against Genc Pllana in December 2019.

“I feel this is an excellent opportunity to show who I am on a national network for a WBA title,” said Henderson. “A lot of pros never get the chance to fight for a world title and for me to get this opportunity 17 fights in is amazing. All I ever wanted was an opportunity. Even though he is young, Morrell is a game opponent. He comes from the Cuban program, but we have a great game plan to take this world title back home.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FultonRoman, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Stephen Fulton retained the WBO and captured the WBC Super Bantamweight titles with a 12-round majority decision over Brandon Figueroa in a Fight of the Year Candidate in a battle of undefeated champions at The Park Theater in Las Vegas.

The stood toe-to-toe for much of the fight with Figueroa pushing the action and Fulton countering effectively. Not much separated the two combatants as the waged a savage war that thrilled the crowd in attendance as well as viewing audience on SHOWTIME. Fulton seemed to rally in the later rounds and picked up the win by scores of 116-112 twice and 114-114.

Fulton, 121.75 lbs of Philadelphia is 20-0. Figueroa, 121.75 lbs of Weslaco, TX is 22-1-1.

Aleem Decisions Baez

Raeese Aleem kept his perfect record intact with a 10-round majority decision over Eduardo Baez in a super bantamweight bout.

In round six, Baez was cut on the forehead by an accidental headbutt.

Aleem, 121.75 lbs of Muskegon, MI won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 19-0. Baez, 121.5 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 19-2-2.

Russell Decisions Santiago

Gary Antonio Russell remains undefeated with a 12-round majority decision over Alejandro Santiago in a bantamweight contest.

Russell, 117.5 lbs of Capitol Heights, Maryland won by scores of 96-94 twice and 96-94 and is now 19-0. Santiago, 118 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 24-3-5.

Super Bantamweight World Championship Unification Fight – 12 Rounds

Brandon Figueroa –121 ¾ lbs.

Stephen Fulton Jr. – 121 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Russell Mora; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Dave Moretti (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Ra’eese Aleem – 121 ¾ lbs.  

Eduardo Baez – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: Mike Ortega; Judges: Eric Cheek (Nev.), Max DeLuca (Calif.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.)

Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Gary Antonio Russell – 117 ½ lbs.  

Alexandro Santiago – 118 lbs.

Referee: Allen Huggins; Judges: Lisa Giampa (Nev.), Steve Morrow (Calif.), Benoit Roussel (Canada)

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ABOUT FIGUEROA VS. FULTON

Figueroa vs. Fulton will see undefeated 122-pound world champions in a unification clash as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. battle in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, November 27 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and also features undefeated super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem battling Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event. Opening the telecast, unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell takes onMexico’s Alexandro Santiago in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

LAS VEGAS – November 23, 2021 – WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO 122-Pound World Champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. previewed their world title unification showdown during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they meet in the main event live on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also feature top super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem taking on Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event, plus unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell duels Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Figueroa vs. Fulton has loomed as a potential showdown for several years prior to the two unbeaten fighters joining the world championship ranks with career-best performances in 2021. Fulton struck first, dominating then-unbeaten Angelo Leo to capture the WBO title in January, while Figueroa made his own statement in stopping two-division champion Luis Nery to capture the WBC strap in May.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

BRANDON FIGUEROA

“I’m just happy it’s fight week finally. It’s been a long road with two training camps. Everything is going well and I’ve come back stronger than ever. We are days away from this huge fight and I feel like it’s going to be ‘Fight of the Year’. It’s going to steal the show. ]I’m coming with everything.

“It would mean everything to become a unified champion. I’m here to represent and to bring back another belt for my city and for my family. It would mean everything to me. That’s why I’ve been working really hard and I know once I accomplish that it would just be another dream come true.

“People are going to talk and underestimate me. They think I’m just going to go in there and “rock ‘em, sock ‘em robot”. But I’m very intelligent. That’s the reason why I’m undefeated. That’s the reason why I have a lot of knockouts. I’m a great finisher. I know how to put pressure on you. Once he gets hit with a big shot and feels my power, it’s going to totally change this fight.

“He’s wrong if he thinks he’s going to stop me inside nine rounds. I’m a fighter. Some people say that I have terrible defense, yet I’m still undefeated. I’m still knocking out world champions and former world champions. This will be no different. It’s going to be the same story as always.

“This fight is going to boil down to guts. To heart. Hard work. Conditioning. I feel like it’s going to take everything from both of us. I know we both have a lot to gain. There’s a lot at stake. We’re both in our primes. We’re ready to peak. He’s 27-years-old. I’m 24. We’re here doing it.

“I come to do my job. I come in to execute my game plan. A lot of people underestimated me against [Luis] Nery but my game plan was to go out there and dominate and do what I had to do, and I went and got him out of there. This time is no different. It’s the same story. People underestimate me so much that I don’t even care anymore. I know what my abilities are. My team knows my abilities and my potential. I know what I’m capable of inside the ring, even though I don’t look like a fighter. That’s my style. I just go out there and do what I have to do and have fun doing it. I’m excited to do it again.

“I think I have the power advantage. I always do. That’s the reason why I have the knockouts. My opponents feel as if I don’t have power before they get in there. But once they feel it, they feel it. I know how to work in those sneaky body shots. I know how to overwhelm them with power, speed and combinations. It’s all part of my arsenal and November 27 it’s all going to come together. All my hard work and everything I’ve been working towards; I’m going to let everything go.

“He’s a skillful fighter. He’s slick. He’s fast. We know that. Obviously, we just have to go in there and take those attributes away. Take nothing away from Stephen, he’s a great fighter. He’s at where he’s at for a reason. But we’ve studied him really well. Props to him for becoming a world champion and getting this far, but I feel like this is my time.

“I have to use my height and reach and just make sure I go in there with a game plan. I always go in there with three or four game plans. I know a lot of people say that I don’t use my height or my reach. But I feel like I do a good job using it on the inside. Sometimes I don’t care to use it on the outside, but this fight is going to take a little bit of everything, and I’ll have to make full use of my height, reach, power, size and everything that makes me the fighter I am.

“I’m just ready to get it on and represent Mexico, represent my city and everybody back home. I’m ready to make my family proud and I’m excited to get in there and leave everything in the ring. You guys will see who wants it more.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR.

“My resume is better [than Figueroa’s] and I feel comfortable saying that. I’ve taken risks since the beginning of my career. I’ve faced undefeated fighters that no one wanted to face. I’ve taken the harder road to get to this fight.

“This has been a great training camp. We’re ready to go. Everything is in motion and I’m just extremely prepared. I can’t wait to put on a great performance.

“Being unified champion would mean a lot to me. I can become the first unified super bantamweight champion from Philadelphia on Saturday night. This win means everything to me.

“People have yet to see the best of me. They’ve yet to see that I like to fight toe-to-toe. I just don’t think this fight is going to last that long. He has the power to wear you down, but I’m the kind of fighter who can overcome anything. I highly believe in my abilities and my intelligence.

“This is my first fight back with fans in two years. There’s so much excitement for it. I’ve been preparing for this fight since June and I don’t think it’s going the distance.

“I’m his biggest fight to date. I’m his biggest test. I’m not like any of the other fighters that he faced before. He knows that and everyone around him knows that. Just watch what I do when I have my back against the wall.

“This boils down to who wants it the most. The power, the strength and the speed can all die down during a fight. All that’s left is who wants it the most. This isn’t just about being unified champion, it’s about this man believing that he can beat me. That’s what motivates me.

“He doesn’t have any quit in him and I appreciate that. I hate quitters and I don’t have any quit in me either. He always fights his fight and applies pressure well. He knows how to use angles and he’s got to this point for a reason.

“I’m used to being in uncomfortable positions, but I’ve had great support from my team and family and friends and that will be with me on fight night.

“Figueroa is going to engage with me more than most of my past opponents have. Him fighting with the style he likes to use is going to bring out more of what I can do.

“I already know that I’m the top guy at 122-pounds. It’s just a matter of days until everyone will see that. I’m not focused on my position in the division or what’s at stake. I’m just focused on defeating an opponent who believes he can beat me.”

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ABOUT FIGUEROA VS. FULTON
Figueroa vs. Fulton will see undefeated 122-pound world champions in a unification clash as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. battle in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, November 27 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and also features undefeated super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem battling Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event. Opening the telecast, unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell takes on Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (November 23, 2021) – Super bantamweight contender Aaron Alameda will square off against Mexico’s Angel Contreras in an eight-round battle, plus Mayweather Promotions stablemates duel as unbeaten Rock Myrthil faces Kevin Johnson in a 10-round super lightweight tilt, on the non-televised undercard this Saturday, November 27 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The event is headlined by undefeated super bantamweight world champions squaring off as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. meet in a title unification live on SHOWTIME® in the main event of the telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

The non-televised lineup will also see Reno, Nevada’s Kenny Davis Jr. (7-2-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight duel against McAllen, Texas-native Nelson Hampton (7-4, 4 KOs), the pro debut of 19-year-old Albert Gonzalez as he takes on Washington, D.C.’s Chamar Flowers (1-1) in a four-round featherweight bout and Macon, Georgia’s Mikhail Montgomery (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round featherweight fight.

The 28-year-old Alameda (25-2, 13 KOs) will look to return to form on November 27 after back-to-back defeats. Alameda was able to end Luis Nery’s knockout streak in September 2020, losing by decision in a vacant world title fight, and most recently dropped a narrow decision to former champion Angelo Leo in June. Prior to the Nery fight, the Sonora, Mexico native had back-to-back knockouts over Jordan Escobar and Breilor Teran. A pro since 2014, his previous action in the U.S. prior to his two most recent fights saw him earn a sixth-round knockout over Andre Wilson in 2016. He will be opposed by the 27-year-old Contreras (11-4-2, 6 KOs), who most recently scored an upset victory in August over previously unbeaten John Dato. The Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico native has fought three times in 2021, battling the undefeated Jalan Walker to a split-draw in April and losing a decision to Ramon Cardenas in February.

Fighting out of Los Angeles, California, the 29-year-old Myrthil (17-0, 13 KOs) discovered boxing at age 18, after his family relocated from Haiti to the United States. Following a stellar amateur career, Myrthil made his pro debut in January 2017 with a second-round TKO over Allan Varela in Tijuana, Mexico. In September 2019, he won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Steele in Las Vegas. The performance caught the eye of Floyd Mayweather, who sat ringside for that bout and ultimately signed Myrthil to his Mayweather Promotions outfit. Most recently, Myrthil outpointed Johnny Rodriguez over eight rounds in February 2020. He will be facing the Detroit-native Johnson (9-2, 5 KOs), who now lives and trains in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old returns to action after defeating the previously unbeaten Luis Salazar by knockout in May. Johnson has fought professionally since 2016 and his two career defeats have come to then-unbeaten fighters Richardson Hitchins and Fazliddin Gaibnazarov.

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ABOUT FIGUEROA VS. FULTON
Figueroa vs. Fulton will see undefeated 122-pound world champions in a unification clash as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. battle in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, November 27 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and also features undefeated super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem battling Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event. Opening the telecast, unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell takes on Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.