Stephen Fulton outboxed Daniel Roman to win a wide decision on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Stephen Fulton was the better technician.
The gifted two-belt 122-pound titleholder was a step ahead of capable challenger Daniel Roman from beginning to end Saturday in Minneapolis, winning by a wide unanimous decision.
The scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109, meaning Roman won only one round on one card.
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) controlled the fight with his swift movement and jab, which made it difficult for the normally busy Roman (29-4-1, 10 KOs) to throw as many punches as he normally does or land his shots consistently.
Fulton didn’t land a tremendous number of punches, either, However, he connected on more than enough of the jabs and power shots — many counter punches — to win the majority of rounds convincingly.
To his credit, Roman, a former unified champion with great pride, tried to pick up his pace as the fight progressed — and had some success — but he never really solved the riddle Fulton posed.
Stephen Fulton outboxed Daniel Roman to win a wide decision on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Stephen Fulton was the better technician.
The gifted two-belt 122-pound titleholder was a step ahead of capable challenger Daniel Roman from beginning to end Saturday in Minneapolis, winning by a wide unanimous decision.
The scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109, meaning Roman won only one round on one card.
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) controlled the fight with his swift movement and jab, which made it difficult for the normally busy Roman (29-4-1, 10 KOs) to throw as many punches as he normally does or land his shots consistently.
Fulton didn’t land a tremendous number of punches, either, However, he connected on more than enough of the jabs and power shots — many counter punches — to win the majority of rounds convincingly.
To his credit, Roman, a former unified champion with great pride, tried to pick up his pace as the fight progressed — and had some success — but he never really solved the riddle Fulton posed.
Stephen Fulton Jr. said, “I always step up to the occasion,” going into his title defense against Daniel Roman on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Stephen Fulton Jr. has been the kind of fighter you wanted to avoid, slick, resourceful, durable. One of the hardest outs in boxing.
Now things are different. Fulton is a unified 122-pound champion, meaning potential opponents in his division who dream of greatness must go through him if they hope to get to the top.
Next up: Daniel Roman, his foe on Saturday at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
Fulton had hoped to face Roman when the latter was a unified beltholder a few years ago but the fight never happened as Roman would lose his titles to Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
“It feels good to be in the position and be the hunted,” Fulton said. “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.”
Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) hasn’t taken an easy road to get where he is. As he pointed out, his last four opponents were unbeaten.
The Figueroa fight was a true test of his ability and resolve.
“You’ve all seen I can fight on the inside, I can fight on the outside,” Fulton said. “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.”
Fulton is versatile but he’s a boxer first, as is Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs). Figueroa’s relentless pressure posed a significant problem for the champion, who won a majority decision . Roman’s polished skills could present different challenges.
Again, though, he hasn’t taken an easy path toward recognition as one of the best in the business. This is nothing new for him.
“The last four fighters I faced were undefeated, so I’m used to this road,” he said. “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.”
Stephen Fulton Jr. said, “I always step up to the occasion,” going into his title defense against Daniel Roman on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Stephen Fulton Jr. has been the kind of fighter you wanted to avoid, slick, resourceful, durable. One of the hardest outs in boxing.
Now things are different. Fulton is a unified 122-pound champion, meaning potential opponents in his division who dream of greatness must go through him if they hope to get to the top.
Next up: Daniel Roman, his foe on Saturday at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
Fulton had hoped to face Roman when the latter was a unified beltholder a few years ago but the fight never happened as Roman would lose his titles to Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
“It feels good to be in the position and be the hunted,” Fulton said. “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.”
Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) hasn’t taken an easy road to get where he is. As he pointed out, his last four opponents were unbeaten.
The Figueroa fight was a true test of his ability and resolve.
“You’ve all seen I can fight on the inside, I can fight on the outside,” Fulton said. “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.”
Fulton is versatile but he’s a boxer first, as is Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs). Figueroa’s relentless pressure posed a significant problem for the champion, who won a majority decision . Roman’s polished skills could present different challenges.
Again, though, he hasn’t taken an easy path toward recognition as one of the best in the business. This is nothing new for him.
“The last four fighters I faced were undefeated, so I’m used to this road,” he said. “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.”
Two victories – over Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Franco – and two years later, Roman has an opportunity to regain his status and then some: He challenges unbeaten two-belt champion Stephen Fulton on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
“It’s a crazy thing,” Roman told Boxing Junkie, referring to the depths of losing his belts to Akmadaliev and then getting the opportunity of his life. “That’s why you have to stay in the gym all the time, to be ready for this kind of opportunity. It doesn’t come twice.
“You have to take advantage of it now that you have the chance.”
Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) already has had an impressive career.
The polished technician from Los Angeles had two losses and one draw in first 11 fights but then won 19 in a row, including a series of victories over fellow contenders and his run as a titleholder.
Hardcore fans know that Roman is an excellent boxer but he hasn’t been the kind of fighter who makes waves, as Fulton has.
That’s why the fight on Saturday night is so important for Roman. If he can take down a champion of Fulton’s caliber on such a large stage, even if it’s by a decision, fans will have no choice but take notice.
“It depends on what people are more attracted to,” he said. “Everybody loves a knockout, everybody loves seeing that. And some fighters talk a lot. I hardly talk. Maybe that’s why people don’t pay attention to me.
“Could this fight change that? Yes. He’s that type of fighter. People will be tuning in that night. He’s considered the best in the division.”
Now all he has to do is win, which won’t be easy.
Brandon Figueroa gave Fulton hell in November before losing a disputed majority decision and his title but Figueroa and Roman have different styles. The former is a relentless pressure fighter, the latter a boxer.
So in this fight it’s boxer vs. boxer, although both of them are more versatile that pure technicians.
“My style is different from Figueroa’s but I can do a little bit of everything, as well,” he said. “I can make adjustments during the fight, putting on pressure, staying in the pocket, anything that works to my benefit. It’s going to come down to who makes the right adjustments that night.
“… I have to say: This is the ultimate fight, going against the unified champion. I’m finally getting a chance after two years.”
Two victories – over Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Franco – and two years later, Roman has an opportunity to regain his status and then some: He challenges unbeaten two-belt champion Stephen Fulton on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
“It’s a crazy thing,” Roman told Boxing Junkie, referring to the depths of losing his belts to Akmadaliev and then getting the opportunity of his life. “That’s why you have to stay in the gym all the time, to be ready for this kind of opportunity. It doesn’t come twice.
“You have to take advantage of it now that you have the chance.”
Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) already has had an impressive career.
The polished technician from Los Angeles had two losses and one draw in first 11 fights but then won 19 in a row, including a series of victories over fellow contenders and his run as a titleholder.
Hardcore fans know that Roman is an excellent boxer but he hasn’t been the kind of fighter who makes waves, as Fulton has.
That’s why the fight on Saturday night is so important for Roman. If he can take down a champion of Fulton’s caliber on such a large stage, even if it’s by a decision, fans will have no choice but take notice.
“It depends on what people are more attracted to,” he said. “Everybody loves a knockout, everybody loves seeing that. And some fighters talk a lot. I hardly talk. Maybe that’s why people don’t pay attention to me.
“Could this fight change that? Yes. He’s that type of fighter. People will be tuning in that night. He’s considered the best in the division.”
Now all he has to do is win, which won’t be easy.
Brandon Figueroa gave Fulton hell in November before losing a disputed majority decision and his title but Figueroa and Roman have different styles. The former is a relentless pressure fighter, the latter a boxer.
So in this fight it’s boxer vs. boxer, although both of them are more versatile that pure technicians.
“My style is different from Figueroa’s but I can do a little bit of everything, as well,” he said. “I can make adjustments during the fight, putting on pressure, staying in the pocket, anything that works to my benefit. It’s going to come down to who makes the right adjustments that night.
“… I have to say: This is the ultimate fight, going against the unified champion. I’m finally getting a chance after two years.”
