This Saturday, at Barclay Center in Brooklyn, NY, the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast will open up with a super bantamweight bout betwwen Stephen Fulton and Arnold Khegai. Fulton, from Philadelphia, is 17-0 and the IBO champion, while Khegai, from the Ukraine, is 16-0-1. [Fulton was 2-1 in additional pro bouts in the World Series of Boxing, while Khegai was 0-1.] The bout will also be a WBO eliminator. Here is what the two boxers had to say at an open workout on Wednesday:
STEPHEN FULTON
“A win on Saturday means everything to me. This is another undefeated fighter that I’m going up against. This is going to be the start of my stardom and this is going to boost my level all the way up.
“I’m going to end his winning streak on Saturday. I’m going to get the win for Philadelphia on Saturday. You’re going to see a little bit of everything Saturday. I’m going to put on a show and perform.
“People think they can pressure me and take me out of the fight. But I’m a mentally strong fighter first. I know that my opponent will bring a lot of aggression, but that alone will not beat me. He needs to show more if he wants to beat me.
“I’m knocking on everyone’s door. The whole super bantamweight division can come out and play. I’m putting them all in time out.
“This is the first time I really brought my weight down well ahead of a fight. I feel great and I have a lot of energy left to do everything I need. That aspect of my camp has been great.
“Philadelphia boxing is coming in full effect. I feel like we’re all working together in our own ways to lift each other up. We’re always in the gym and Saturday is another great opportunity to display our talents.”
ARNOLD KHEGAI
“I believe that I can land my power shots against Fulton. I can land the punch that will change the fight and I can do it in any moment. We’ll find out if he can stand up to the power on Saturday night.
“Fulton is a good fighter, but so am I. We’re both undefeated and very hungry. I think it should make this a great fight for the fans.
“I might be considered the underdog, but this is boxing. Anything can happen. We’re going to fight. It’s just the two of us in the ring, man vs. man. No one’s opinion matters.
“I trained for the first time in California with Marvin Somodio ahead of this fight. It was a great training camp and I learned a lot. I’ve been following all of his instructions and learned about the strategy it takes to win a 12 round fight.”
