Tag: Tramaine Williams

Fight Week: Angelo Leo vs. Stephen Fulton on Showtime

Fight Week: Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against top contender Stephen Fulton on Showtime.

MYKQUAN WILLIAMS (15-0-1, 7 KOs) VS.
YEIS GABRIEL SOLANO (15-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Wednesday, Jan. 20
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Martino Jules vs. Pedro Marquez Medina, featherweights; Jose Nunez vs. Aram Avagyan, featherweights
  • Prediction: Williams UD
  • Background: Solano will be traveling to Williams’ backyard and moving up to 140 pounds to face him in a matchup that is competitive on paper. Solano reportedly had an amateur record of 118-12 for his native Columbia, where the southpaw fought his first dozen fights as a pro. He then went to Mexico for two bouts and made his U.S. debut in June of 2019, defeating Elias Araujo by a split decision. He hasn’t fought since. Williams, a former amateur standout from Hartford, Conn., has fought at 140 or above his entire pro career. He relies more on his quickness and athleticism than power. And it has worked for him, although he’s coming off a draw with Tre’Sean Wiggins in October 2019. He has been out of the ring since then. This is a big opportunity for both fighters, who moved into the ShoBox main event when a fight between Patrick Cora and Hurshidbek Normatov fell out.

***

ANGELO LEO (20-0, 9 KOs)
VS. STEPHEN FULTON (18-0, 8 KOs)

Stephen Fulton defeated Arnold Khegai by a unanimous decision in January. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
  • When: Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
  • At stake: Leo’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Fulton 1½-1
  • Also on the card: Vic Pasillas vs. Raeese Aleem, junior featherweights; Rolando Romero vs. Justin Pauldo, lightweights
  • Prediction: Fulton UD
  • Background: This matchup was set for Aug. 1 at the same venue but Fulton had to pull out days beforehand after testing positive for COVID-19. Leo fought Tramaine Williams instead, winning a wide decision and the vacant 122-pound title. Fulton, fully recovered, finally gets his shot at Leo and the belt five-plus months later. Leo, a pressure fighter with a murderous body attack, gave a strong performance against the capable Williams. The product of Albuquerque won by scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 117-111. However, most observers see Fulton as a bigger threat than Williams. The Philadelphian is a quick, clever technician who will use all of his assets – including excellent footwork – in an attempt to neutralize Leo’s relentless attack. The contrast in styles and high stakes makes for an interesting 50-50 matchup.

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Fight Week: Angelo Leo vs. Stephen Fulton on Showtime

Fight Week: Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against top contender Stephen Fulton on Showtime.

MYKQUAN WILLIAMS (15-0-1, 7 KOs) VS.
YEIS GABRIEL SOLANO (15-0, 10 KOs)

  • When: Wednesday, Jan. 20
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Martino Jules vs. Pedro Marquez Medina, featherweights; Jose Nunez vs. Aram Avagyan, featherweights
  • Prediction: Williams UD
  • Background: Solano will be traveling to Williams’ backyard and moving up to 140 pounds to face him in a matchup that is competitive on paper. Solano reportedly had an amateur record of 118-12 for his native Columbia, where the southpaw fought his first dozen fights as a pro. He then went to Mexico for two bouts and made his U.S. debut in June of 2019, defeating Elias Araujo by a split decision. He hasn’t fought since. Williams, a former amateur standout from Hartford, Conn., has fought at 140 or above his entire pro career. He relies more on his quickness and athleticism than power. And it has worked for him, although he’s coming off a draw with Tre’Sean Wiggins in October 2019. He has been out of the ring since then. This is a big opportunity for both fighters, who moved into the ShoBox main event when a fight between Patrick Cora and Hurshidbek Normatov fell out.

***

ANGELO LEO (20-0, 9 KOs)
VS. STEPHEN FULTON (18-0, 8 KOs)

Stephen Fulton defeated Arnold Khegai by a unanimous decision in January. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
  • When: Saturday, Jan. 23
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
  • At stake: Leo’s WBO title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Fulton 1½-1
  • Also on the card: Vic Pasillas vs. Raeese Aleem, junior featherweights; Rolando Romero vs. Justin Pauldo, lightweights
  • Prediction: Fulton UD
  • Background: This matchup was set for Aug. 1 at the same venue but Fulton had to pull out days beforehand after testing positive for COVID-19. Leo fought Tramaine Williams instead, winning a wide decision and the vacant 122-pound title. Fulton, fully recovered, finally gets his shot at Leo and the belt five-plus months later. Leo, a pressure fighter with a murderous body attack, gave a strong performance against the capable Williams. The product of Albuquerque won by scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 117-111. However, most observers see Fulton as a bigger threat than Williams. The Philadelphian is a quick, clever technician who will use all of his assets – including excellent footwork – in an attempt to neutralize Leo’s relentless attack. The contrast in styles and high stakes makes for an interesting 50-50 matchup.

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

Stephen Fulton said he relishes a second opportunity to fight Angelo Leo for a major 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.

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“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.

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

Stephen Fulton said he relishes a second opportunity to fight Angelo Leo for a major 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.

[lawrence-related id=12445,17113]

“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.

Angleo Leo aims to prove doubters wrong vs. Stephen Fulton

Angleo Leo aims to prove doubters wrong in his title defense against Stephen Fulton on Jan. 23.

Angelo Leo relishes the biggest victory of his career, a wide decision over late replacement Tramaine Williams on Aug. 1 that allowed him to realize a dream of winning a world title.

Knowledgeable observers evidently aren’t convinced that Leo is the real deal, though. He’ll have to beat the man who he was supposed to have fought that night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., to get their respect.

That opportunity comes on Jan. 23 in the same ring, where he’ll make the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against Stephen Fulton.

Fulton had to pull out of the earlier fight after contracting COVID-19 but is healthy now. And the slick, athletic boxer from Philadelphia is a slight favorite to beat the new titleholder.

“Fulton has been on TV a lot more than I have,” Leo told Boxing Junkie. “A lot more people have seen him fight, they know his name. I’m the new kid on the block. That will change with time.

“If I keep winning, people will recognize who I am.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3AG4w1Azvg

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) certainly made the most of opportunity presented to him on in August.

The product of Albuquerque learned only a few days before the fight that Fulton was out and Williams was in, which required adjustment. He had been preparing for Fulton, who fights from an orthodox stance. Williams is lefthanded.

Still, Leo, who relies on relentless pressure, a brutal body attack and conditioning, dominated his capable opponent. He won by scores of 118-110 (10 rounds to two), 118-110 and 117-111.

And it didn’t matter to him that it was Williams who he defeated to win his coveted trinket at 26 years old. He never dreamed about who would be across the ring from him, only having the shiny belt wrapped around his waist after the fact.

At the same time, he understands that the realization of one goal leads to another. He’s just getting started.

“It was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s something I worked my whole life for. Ever since I was 10 years old I dreamed of becoming a world champion, to have the strap around me. That’s not the end of it, though.

“They has everyone will be gunning for you after you win a title. That being said, I’m training harder. I have to keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

Leo understands that Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) poses a significant challenge, which is why every oddsmaker Boxing Junkie could find had Fulton as the favorite.

They don’t seem to care too much about the victory over Williams or the fact Leo has the type of style – pressure, body attack – to slow down an opponent who relies on technique and his quickness.

Leo is promoted by Floyd Mayweather, a master boxer who understands the problems a fighter with Leo’s style can create. Marcos Maidana, whose style was similar to Leo’s, gave Mayweather fits at times by staying on top of him in their two-fight series in 2014.

Is that the blueprint for Leo against Fulton?

“That’s what Floyd told me,” Leo said. “He said, ‘Watch my fight against Maidana. That’s how you have to go in there.”

Leo insists he’s a better boxer than people might realize but, yes, Fulton can expect the titleholder to be in his face from beginning to end.

“It just comes up with has a better style, who can adapt the most,” Leo said. “It’s two contrasting styles. You have a boxer and you have a pressure fighter. One can beat the other. It all depends on the details.

“That being said I think the pressure will make him uncomfortable.”

Just as it did against Williams.

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Angleo Leo aims to prove doubters wrong vs. Stephen Fulton

Angleo Leo aims to prove doubters wrong in his title defense against Stephen Fulton on Jan. 23.

Angelo Leo relishes the biggest victory of his career, a wide decision over late replacement Tramaine Williams on Aug. 1 that allowed him to realize a dream of winning a world title.

Knowledgeable observers evidently aren’t convinced that Leo is the real deal, though. He’ll have to beat the man who he was supposed to have fought that night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., to get their respect.

That opportunity comes on Jan. 23 in the same ring, where he’ll make the first defense of his WBO junior featherweight title against Stephen Fulton.

Fulton had to pull out of the earlier fight after contracting COVID-19 but is healthy now. And the slick, athletic boxer from Philadelphia is a slight favorite to beat the new titleholder.

“Fulton has been on TV a lot more than I have,” Leo told Boxing Junkie. “A lot more people have seen him fight, they know his name. I’m the new kid on the block. That will change with time.

“If I keep winning, people will recognize who I am.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3AG4w1Azvg

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) certainly made the most of opportunity presented to him on in August.

The product of Albuquerque learned only a few days before the fight that Fulton was out and Williams was in, which required adjustment. He had been preparing for Fulton, who fights from an orthodox stance. Williams is lefthanded.

Still, Leo, who relies on relentless pressure, a brutal body attack and conditioning, dominated his capable opponent. He won by scores of 118-110 (10 rounds to two), 118-110 and 117-111.

And it didn’t matter to him that it was Williams who he defeated to win his coveted trinket at 26 years old. He never dreamed about who would be across the ring from him, only having the shiny belt wrapped around his waist after the fact.

At the same time, he understands that the realization of one goal leads to another. He’s just getting started.

“It was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s something I worked my whole life for. Ever since I was 10 years old I dreamed of becoming a world champion, to have the strap around me. That’s not the end of it, though.

“They has everyone will be gunning for you after you win a title. That being said, I’m training harder. I have to keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

Leo understands that Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) poses a significant challenge, which is why every oddsmaker Boxing Junkie could find had Fulton as the favorite.

They don’t seem to care too much about the victory over Williams or the fact Leo has the type of style – pressure, body attack – to slow down an opponent who relies on technique and his quickness.

Leo is promoted by Floyd Mayweather, a master boxer who understands the problems a fighter with Leo’s style can create. Marcos Maidana, whose style was similar to Leo’s, gave Mayweather fits at times by staying on top of him in their two-fight series in 2014.

Is that the blueprint for Leo against Fulton?

“That’s what Floyd told me,” Leo said. “He said, ‘Watch my fight against Maidana. That’s how you have to go in there.”

Leo insists he’s a better boxer than people might realize but, yes, Fulton can expect the titleholder to be in his face from beginning to end.

“It just comes up with has a better style, who can adapt the most,” Leo said. “It’s two contrasting styles. You have a boxer and you have a pressure fighter. One can beat the other. It all depends on the details.

“That being said I think the pressure will make him uncomfortable.”

Just as it did against Williams.

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Good, bad, worse: Joe George gave fans what they crave

Joe George gave fans a precious gift against Marcos Escudero on the Angelo Leo-Tramaine Williams card Saturday, a highlight-reel knockout.

GOOD

Joe George looked so-so at best for eight-plus rounds in his rematch with Marcos Escudero on the Angelo Leo-Tramaine Williams card Saturday.

The light heavyweight from Houston spent far too much time with his back against the ropes, where Escudero teed off. He generally threw punches one at a time, not in combination. And he was generally outworked by his Argentine rival, who led on two cards after eight rounds.

Indeed, things looked bleak for George as the bell rang to start Round 9.

Then, in one of those eye-popping moments unusual to combat sports, Escudero ducked under a right hand from George and was nailed by a perfect left uppercut that put him on his back and rendered him semiconscious.

Fight over. Viral video born.

The knockout is one of the most brutal elements of boxing. It’s also one of the most thrilling and dramatic, a violent reminder that any fight can change in an instant when a fist traveling at a high rate of speed finds its target in just the right way.

Few would’ve been talking about the George-Escudero fight had it gone the distance, except perhaps one unexplainable card (see below). As it was, George stole the first post-lockdown Showtime-PBC show with his mighty blow.

For most fans, it was boxing at its most appealing.

BAD

Marcos Escudero (right) seemed to outwork Joe George for eight-plus rounds but one judge didn’t see it that way. Amanda Westcott / Showtime

Sometimes you see or hear the scoring of a particularly fight and think, “huh?”

That was the case when the scores of the George-Escudero fight were announced. Don Trella and Steve Weisfeld had Escudero winning 79-73 and 77-75 after eight rounds, which reflected what happened in the ring. I had it 78-74 for Escuedro.

The third judge, Tom Carusone of Connecticut, had George leading 79-73, or seven rounds to one. George landed some eye-catching power shots and blocked most of the punches directed his way when his back was against the ropes.

Still, giving Escudero only one round was out of whack. The Argentine took the fight to George from beginning to end. He threw and landed many more punches than George did, which is the name of the game.

At worst, if he give George every single benefit of the doubt, a draw wouldn’t have been criminally outrageous. Seven rounds to one? No way.

Fortunately, Carusone’s scoring had no impact on the result. George took care of that. However, any highly questionable scoring should be a red flag.

I hope authorities in Connecticut review Carusone’s card with him, ask him how he arrived at 79-73 in favor of George and then take these steps: explain to him where he went wrong, require that he attend a refresher course on scoring and keep a close eye on him.

Honestly, I don’t want to be too hard on Carusone. Maybe it was just a bad night. At the same time, such scoring is damaging to the sport.

WORSE

Stephen Fulton put up a good front but he had to be crushed that he was unable to fight on Saturday. Emilee Chinn / Getty Images

I keep thinking about Stephen Fulton.

The talented 122-pounder was set to fight Angelo Leo for a vacant title in the main event Saturday on Showtime. Instead, after testing positive for COVID-19, he could only watch from a distance as Leo outpointed Tramaine Williams to realize his dream – and that of Fulton – of becoming a world champion.

Fulton put up a good front. He was all smiles and seemed to be taking his fate in stride during an interview on the Showtime telecast, but he had to be hurting.

He had to watch the fight and think, “I should be in there.” And when a jubilant Leo had his hand raised, “That should be me.”

Remember that fighters become obsessed with winning shiny championship belts from the moment they walk into the gym for the first time. And it was within Fulton’s reach … until a virus stepped in.

Fulton, only 26, is in position to challenge Leo for his new title. At least that’s the intention of the WBO, which designated the No. 1-ranked contender its mandatory challenger and gave the Leo-Williams winner 180 days to fight him.

If that happens, if Fulton gets his shot within six months, then the missed opportunity could end up being a blip in his career. One never knows, though. A lot can happen in 180 days to postpone his opportunity again.

Let’s hope that he and Leo reach an agreement to fight soon and actually step through the ropes. Fulton has earned that.

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Video: Joe George’s one-punch KO-of-the-year candidate

Joe George stole the first post-lockdown Showtime-PBC card Saturday night with one punch.

Joe George stole the first post-lockdown Showtime-PBC card Saturday night with one punch.

The light heavyweight from Houston was losing to Marcos Escudero on two of three cards in the ninth of 10 scheduled rounds in their rematch when he landed a left uppercut to the chin of the Argentine, who fell flat on his back and had no hope of getting up.

At the time of the stoppage, Escudero, who had outworked George, was leading 79-93, 77-75 and 73-79. Judge Tom Carusone’s 79-73 card for George is difficult to explain.

George (11-0, 7 KOs) defeated Escudero (10-2, 9 KOs) by a controversial split decision in November.

“I was setting him up with the jab to the body and had him leaning over a little,” George said. “I wanted him to get relaxed and that’s exactly what he did. He was relaxed, I slipped over and shot it. Really, he gave it to me and I had to take it and put him down.”

Escudero ducked a right hand from George. At that moment, with his head low, George landed the fight-ending shot.

The fight took place behind closed doors at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Angelo Leo uses vicious body attack to beat Tramaine Williams, win title

Angelo Leo used a vicious body attack to defeat Tramaine Williams by a unanimous decision and win a vacant 122-pound title Saturday.

Leo means Lion in Spanish. And Tramaine Williams was mauled.

Angelo Leo turned Williams’ stomach into his personal heavy bag, essentially winning a wide unanimous decision with a relentless body attack to capture the vacant WBO 122-pound title Saturday behind closed doors at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

And he did it even though Williams was a last-minute replacement for his original opponent, Stephen Fulton, who tested positive for COVID-19.

One big difference between Fulton and Williams: The former fights from an orthodox stance, the latter is left-handed. Some wondered whether it would be difficult for Leo to adjust. Well, the body is the same regardless of the opponent’s dominant hand.

“The key fact in the fight was the body work and the pressure, definitely,” Leo said afterward.

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) seemed to have some difficulty in the first few rounds, as the quick, capable Williams (19-1, 6 KOs) was able to land jabs and stinging left hands fairly consistently from a relatively safe distance.

However, by the fourth round, Leo became comfortable, worked his way inside and began pounding Williams’ body in earnest.

“The first few rounds I was feeling him out,” Leo said, “getting [my] timing, getting a feel for him. I felt him kind of loosening up, kind of breaking down. That’s when I started putting the pressure on him a little more.”

Williams had success off and on in the fight when he fought from the outside but he couldn’t keep the lion off of him. The shorter man actually landed some decent shots inside but, as his trainer told him repeatedly, Leo fared much better in close quarters.

Leo maintained the pressure the entire fight. By the late rounds, he was landing vicious shots to both the body and head and Williams, evidently weakened by the punishment and unable to adjust, offered little in return.

Thus, when the scores were announced, no one was surprised: 117-111, 118-110 and 118-110, all for Leo, who won his first major title 26.

Leo, promoted by Floyd Mayweather, lives and trains in Las Vegas but grew up and began his boxing career in Albuquerque. He joins such fighters as Bob Foster, Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero and Holy Holm as a world champion from that town.

“Oh man, it feels good,” Leo said. “It still hasn’t sunken in yet. It feels surreal.”

Next up for Leo will be Fulton, as the WBO has ordered fight between the Leo-Williams winner and Fulton within 180 days, which should give Fulton plenty of time to recover and get back to training.

Leo was asked whether he has a message for his next opponent.

“Just be ready,” he said. “Just be ready. We’re going to make it a war. He says he’s going to bring it, I’m going to bring it. Why not bring it on?

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Ra’eese Aleem dominates, stops Marcus Bates in 10

Ra’eese Aleem stopped Marcus Bates at 2:18 of the 10th round of a scheduled 12-round 122-pound title eliminator Saturday.

No need for a third fight between Ra’eese Aleem and Marcus Bates.

Aleem gave a masterful performance on the Angelo Leo-Tramaine Williams card Saturday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., outclassing Bates before stopping at him 2:18 of the 10th round of a scheduled 12-round 122-pound title eliminator.

Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) overwhelmed Bates (11-2-1, 8 KOs) with his work rate, speed and accuracy, which rarely gave the counter puncher a chance to counter.

Aleem landed a remarkable 51 percent of his power punches, according to CompuBox.

And if all that wasn’t difficult enough for Bates, the product of Washington, D.C. injured his right wrist late in the fight.

In Round 9, Bates repeatedly shook his right arm, an indication that there was a problem. And he stopped throwing right hands, is best weapon.

After that round, as he sat in his corner, the doctor and his handlers seemed to suggest that it would be best to stop the fight. Bates would hear none of it and the fight went on.

However, in obvious pain, he turned away from Aleem, took a left hook to the head and the referee saved him from himself.

Bates took Aleem the distance in 2018, losing a unanimous decision in an eight-round fight.

Aleem, ranked No. 13 by the WBA, made a strong statement. He should be headed toward bigger and better things.