WBO 122-pound champion Angelo Leo meets Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr., in the main event of the first Showtime Championship Boxing telecast of 2021 on Saturday, January 23rd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.,  “Leo vs. Fulton is a true 50-50 matchup between two rising stars entering the primes of their careers,” said co-promoter Tom Brown. “Fulton’s chance at capturing the title was delayed [by coronavirus] but his opportunity finally comes January 23rd. Leo worked incredibly hard to capture the world championship in August and will come prepared and determined to defend it successfully.

 

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs), who fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, became the first champion from his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, since legendary three-division champion Johnny Tapia. Leo he defeated Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision in August. The 26 year-old was originally scheduled to face Fulton for the vacant WBO junior featherweight world title that evening, but Fulton was forced to withdraw following a positive coronavirus test.

 

"It's been a crazy year for everyone but to say I walked out of 2020 a world champion is truly incredible and humbling,” said Leo. “I spent 16 years training for that moment to become a champion, and here I am, preparing for my next camp for my first defense top of 2021. That's a blessing, and I thank Mayweather Promotions and my team for that. My experiences with Floyd last camp going to really put me in a great position going into this fight.

 

"My father Miguel has been instrumental in keeping me grounded and reminding me that all of these fighters are eyeing my spot. My goal in 2021 is to remain champion and get more belts and Fulton is that next test."

 

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa. Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) has beaten seven unbeaten fighters in his last twelve fights, including Josh Greer, Adam Lopez and Luis Saul Rosario. Fulton’s two most recent wins are a knockout over Isaac Avelar in August 2019 before most recently scoring a dominant twelve-round unanimous decision victory over Arnold Khegai a bout a year ago.

 

"Training is going great," said Fulton. "I feel like everything happens for a reason because I'm 10 times more ready now than I was the first time around. I'm excited to fight for the title and I expect nothing but Angelo Leo to be himself and fight his fight on January 23rd."