Boxers and others may argue over scoring. One thing that everyone would agree on? It was a hell of a war.
Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa delivered a classic fight in their 122-pound title unification match Saturday at the Park Theater in Las Vegas, unleashing a combined 1,786 punches in back-and-out action sequences nonstop.
Fulton raised his hand, the result of the majority decision, but no one lost.
“It was a war,” Fulton said shortly after. “It was a tough fight, he’s a tough guy.”
Sure. Figueroa, who lost the WBC belt, put suffocating pressure on the WBO belt winner from the opening bell to the end of the 12th round.NS and the final round. He threw 1,086 punches, landing 314, according to CompuBox.
Texan’s physical activity was particularly effective, as more than a third of his punches (106) were to the stomach.
However, Fulton, who outperformed slugger Angelo Leo in his previous match, effectively weathered the storm. He catches Figueroa with multiple own-goals, moves or holds when he has to and holds himself on foot serve, that is Figueroa’s wheel.
Fulton landed 269 out of 726 punches, including 85 to the torso.
In the end, two of the judges – and the Boxing Junkie – favored Fulton’s accuracy and solid spirit over Figueroa’s mass punch. The scores are 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114. Boxing Junkie also scored 116-112 for Fulton, eight fourth innings.
“I caught him in between shots he was throwing,” Fulton said. “Yes, he made it a bit sloppy and rough. And the referrer said I hit him low. I did not; I have placed my shots. “
The interviewer asked Fulton for punch stats, indicating that Figueroa was more active.
“More dynamic, but who took down the better pictures?” I caught you in the middle of everything you’re throwing,” he replied as Figueroa’s team called out to him.
Figueroa, frustrated by being scored, believes she has been duped.
“I put pressure on for 12 rounds,” he said. “I landed better pictures. I hurt him five times. I probably lost four rounds in that fight. ”
He added when asked his final thoughts: “Probably the biggest heist of the year. Everyone here knows who won. Fans who watched it live know who the winner is. Even [Fulton] know who won. They just don’t want to admit it. They just want to fight him and [fellow titleholder Murodjon Akhmadaliev].
“I came to fight. Everyone knows I came to fight, I didn’t come to hold. I put pressure on all 12 rounds. I think even you know who won.”
Fulton offered to fight Figueroa a second time, but that was not likely. Figueroa, who struggled at 122, has stated several times entering the match that he intends to gain weight whether he wins or loses.
He said after the fight that he wanted a rematch with Fulton but hesitated and hesitated when pushed about whether it was realistic. Obviously it’s time for him to rise to 126, then he’ll be physically stronger.
What’s next for Fulton? Figueroa probably named the man with whom Fulton would soon be fighting: MJ, which is Akhmadaliev’s nickname. The Uzbek holds the IBF and WBA children’s featherweight belts, meaning the winner of that bout will become the undisputed champion.
Will Fulton win the right to fight Akhmadaliev for the title? The judges thought so. But the debate will be fierce.
