Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton Jr. will meet in a highly anticipated rematch on February 2 at the Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The fight, which has got the whole boxing world talking, serves as the main co-main event to David Benavidez vs David Morrell, another excellent contest between two fighters at the top of their respective game.
The first meeting between Figueroa and Fulton took place in November 2021, with the latter securing victory via majority decision. However, it was a result that sparked a lot of debate among fans. The rematch is an opportunity for the score to be settled and for the winner to assert their dominance in the featherweight division.
Figueroa comes into the bout holding the WBC Interim Featherweight Title, so there’s a belt on the line in the fight, raising the stakes. Both fighters dream of dominating the weight class and going on to unify, and victory here will get the wheels in motion on this front. Fans of both fighters can check out the latest boxing odds on the fight here at BetVictor.
Deep Dive into Brandon Figueroa
At twenty-eight years old, Brandon Figueroa has become renowned for being one of boxing’s most relentless fighters. He boasts a record featuring 25 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, and 19 of his victories have come by knockout. Figueora’s high work rate and unyielding pressure have made him a boxer who fans love to watch. Standing at 5’9 and with a reach of 72.5 inches, he has the physical advantages that allow him to come out on top in close-quarter exchanges, thriving on his ability to overwhelm opponents with body shots and combinations.
Figueroa has already defeated respected names in his career, registering wins against the likes of Mark Magsayo and Jessie Magdaleno. His unanimous decision victory against Magsayo for the WBC Interim Featherweight Title in 2023 demonstrated is ability to adapt against skilled opponents. He followed that impressive win up by knocking out Magdaleno in style last year, solidifying his status as a top contender.
Figueroa is sometimes criticised for being a fighter who is willing to absorb punishment in the hope of dishing out some of his own. But his resilience and condition often compensate, and it’s attributes like these that see him outlast and overwhelm his opponents. But against Fulton, Figueroa must tighten up defensively. That is a known fact.
A Closer Look at Stephen Fulton Jr.
Stephen Fulton Jr., 30, is a fighter whose style truly epitomises the art of boxing. With an impressive record of 22 wins, 1 loss, and 8 knockouts, Fulton’s success lies in his exceptional ring IQ, footwork, and counter-punching. He stands at 5’6 ½ and has a reach of 70.5 inches, which means he has to compensate for his physical disadvantages with sharp timing and adaptability.
The Philadelphia native made headlines in 2021 when he defeated Figueroa, a razor-thin decision that showcased his ability to neutralise pressure through precision, defence, and timing. Fulton’s lack of knockout power is talked about as a drawback, but his accuracy has helped carry him to victory on twenty-two occasions as a pro.
Fulton dared to be great in 2023 when he faced Naoya Inoue. It resulted in his first professional loss, but it showed Fulton’s willingness to take on the elite. He bounced back from the Inoue reverse by defeating Carlos Castro by split decision. Fulton comes into this fight knowing he’s been victorious in this match-up before while also recognising Figueroa has come on leaps and bounds since.
Leading Up to the Fight
- Settling the Score – The first encounter between the two fighters left fans divided, with many believing the wrong man got the decision. So, the rematch is an opportunity for both parties to put the debate to rest.
- Clash of Styles – Styles make fights, and here we have Figueroa’s relentless aggression meeting Fulton’s defensive brilliance. Who comes out on top will be the fighter that can make their style count.
- Featherweight Supremacy – Figueroa holds the WBC Interim Featherweight Title, so there are implications for divisional rankings.
- Adjustments and Growth – Both fighters have evolved since they first met, adding layers of intrigue. The fighter that has evolved the most could have the upper hand.
Training Camp Insights
Figueroa’s team know precisely what he has to do to come out on top against Fulton. They naturally want him to retain his offensive output, but work has been done to improve the defensive side of his game. Fulton is elusive, so sparring partners with a similar style, fighters with good timing and ring-cutting techniques, have been drafted in. Figueroa will continue to incorporate bodywork into his strategy, with his team believing they can wear Fulton down over the twelve rounds with shots to the body.
Fulton’s preparation has centred on movement, counter-punching, and conditioning. His team know Figueroa has a tendency to leave openings during exchanges, and they are devising strategies to exploit this. Fulton has also been working hard in pacing in the hope he can maintain control of the tempo without allowing Figueroa to overwhelm him with his high pressure approach.
Keys to Victory
Brandon Figueroa
- Relentless Pressure – Figueroa must stay true to his identity, which means applying consistent pressure, forcing Fulton into uncomfortable exchanges.
- Target the Body – If Figueroa can sustain attacks to Fulton’s midsection, it could sap his energy and reduce what he can do in the later rounds.
- Defensive Responsibility – There must be an improvement defensively by Figueroa. This means improved head movements and a tighter guard. This will be effective against Fulton’s counters.
Stephen Fulton Jr.
- Maintain Distance – Fulton has excellent footwork, and he has to use it to maintain the distance between himself and Fugueroa. Using angles will prevent him from being forced into prolonged exchanges.
- Exploit Openings – Precise counter-punching could discourage Figueroa’s aggression and help Fulton score points on the judges’ cards.
- Control the Pace – Fulton has the boxing IQ to dictate the pace of the fight. Controlling the tempo will prevent Figueroa from building momentum.
Figueroa vs Fulton Odds Summary
The rematch between Figueroa and Fulton should at least be as electrifying as their first encounter, if not more so. The first meeting between the pair saw Fulton come out on top, but his victory wasn’t clear-cut, and there are still many who believe Figueroa did enough to win. This adds to the intrigue ahead of the rematch, and it should make both fighters more determined not only to win but to win in style, and BetVictor is offering the latest boxing odds on this match.
Figueroa is a front-foot fighter with relentless aggression, which should put him in a great position and make his work more noticeable to the judges if the rematch goes the distance like the first fight did. However, Fulton is technically superior, and he will come into the fight knowing he’s been victorious before.
If Figueroa comes into the bout aggressive, cutting off the ring and capitalising on body shots, it could open the door to a late stoppage. But if Fulton can use his ring craft, something he’s renowned for, he could reduce Figueroa’s effectiveness and score a points win again.
