Brandon Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KO) He has an angelic face reminiscent of the typical college quarterback from American movies who always ends up being the protagonist of a beautiful love story. They nickname him the ‘Heartbreaker’ And it is not by chance. At 24 years old, his appearance is not that of a boxer, but when he steps into the ring he becomes a punishment machine. Only six of his 23 fights have gone to the limit and it comes in a scary progression. Since April 2019 he has been accumulating WBA secondary world belts in the super bantamweight and in May 2021 he gave the chest do. He came as a clear underdog to Luis Nery, whom he knocked out in seven rounds to hang the WBC World Championship at 122 pounds.
Already as champion, the American has not wanted to lose perspective. VI lived an austere family life. He does not want to change. Precisely that profile means that this Saturday, in the most important fight of his career, he arrives far behind in the bets. Another world champion awaits him, the WBO, Stephen Fulton (19-0.8 KO). The 27-year-old from Philadelphia also arrives after lifting that World Cup this year. He did it in January in a brutal war against Angelo Leo. Therefore, they are two names on the rise that come from winning a world champion. Very even … but Fulton is thought to be far superior.
Fulton may have more starting rhythm, but the continuity that Figueroa puts into his fights is not something that pleases his opponent. That is where the key to the fight may come, in addition, the WBC monarch has a punch. We will have to test the jaw of Fulton, who must do the same with his opponent. Perhaps the key to the WBO champion is to prove that endurance in the first rounds, in which he can surprise by speed. They are two different styles that collide in their second big test. Equality is maximum on paper. Small details will mark the key. They both know that it is a previous step to something very big, the WBA and IBF belts are held by Akhmadaliev … so a unification would be possible (Figueroa would have more options by remaining WBA Regular champion). Step by Step. They have to pass the Las Vegas bar first.