Stephen Fulton was unable to replicate the one-punch knockout he achieved in his previous fight. However, the undefeated Philadelphia boxer managed to do enough to withstand the rugged approach of Ukrainian Arnold Khegai in their 12-round, 122-pound elimination bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Fulton effectively handled Khegai's aggressive tactics, utilized his jab to outperform the previously undefeated contender, and secured a unanimous decision victory in the first of three fights broadcast by Showtime.
The judges, Frank Lombardi (117-111), John McKaie (116-112), and Waleska Roldan (117-111), all scored the bout in favor of Fulton with comfortable margins. Prior to this fight, the 25-year-old Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) held the IBO 122-pound championship, but he had to relinquish that title for the WBO to sanction it as an elimination match for their title.
Arnold Khegai, aged 27 (16-1-1, 10 KOs), is ranked as the No. 2 junior featherweight contender by the WBO, trailing champion Emanuel Navarrete (30-1, 26 KOs). Although Fulton was initially ranked No. 8, his victory over Khegai will likely boost his ranking above his Ukrainian opponent.
Following his victory, Fulton expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I felt great against a tough opponent. I stuck to my boxing, disrupted his rhythm, and emerged victorious. I knew he was a rugged adversary, so I had to maintain my composure. That's my style – I rely on my jab. I aimed to use the jab throughout the night and win the fight with it. I've shown that I'm ready for a world title shot."
Throughout the 12th round, Fulton, already in control, managed to land two overhand rights. Despite these powerful blows, Khegai remained resilient, absorbing the punches and making it to the final bell. In the 11th round, Khegai delivered several potent punches to Fulton, but the Philadelphia fighter signified that he was unharmed by shaking his head.
Referee Steve Willis, after repeated warnings for illegal tactics during the fight, instructed a New York State Athletic Commission inspector to inform Khegai that he would lose a point if he committed another foul in the 12th round.
In the 10th round, a right hand by Fulton forced Khegai into a corner. Fulton subsequently urged Khegai to advance and launched an attack with a right to the head and a left to the body.
Khegai connected with a right hand to the back of Fulton's head in the ninth round, resulting in another warning from the referee.
The eighth round saw numerous clinches and minimal clean punching.
Fulton predominantly targeted Khegai's body during the first half of the seventh round, landing a right and left around his guard. Although Khegai continued to press forward, it led to several awkward entanglements.
In the second half of the seventh round, Fulton connected with two consecutive right hands, but Khegai signaled that they didn't hurt him by shaking his head.
Khegai managed to back Fulton into a corner with an overhand right in the sixth round. Later in the round, Khegai's left hook pushed Fulton into a neutral corner.
Fulton landed several left hands in the latter part of the fifth round, although they didn't appear to have a significant impact on Khegai.
In the final minute of the fourth round, Khegai struck Fulton's body and head. Fulton, backed into a neutral corner, encouraged Khegai to come forward and responded with body shots toward the end of the round.
Fulton delivered a short left just before the midpoint of the third round. Khegai retaliated with an overhand right shortly afterward. In the same round, Willis cautioned Khegai for slamming Fulton to the canvas.
During the second round, Khegai pressed forward, but Fulton managed to defend himself effectively and avoided any significant punches. Fulton initiated clinches towards the end of the opening round, even though it appeared that Khegai didn't land a punch to provoke it.
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