Stephen Fulton vs Carlos Castro: Who Wins?

Prior to an eighth-round stoppage against the Japanese superstar in Tokyo, Fulton’s name was being mentioned as a candidate for lower echelons of the pound-4-pound list, which is now far from the radar due to another long period of inactivity. The last five years has seen him only have five fights, albeit four of the five being world title fights. Fulton scored a wide unanimous decision victory over Daniel Roman in his most recent victory, which astonishingly came on June 4, 2022, close to another 14 months before his loss to Inoue. Fulton’s first world title victory against Angelo Leo three and a half years ago has aged well. Ten months later, he would unify his WBO belt with Brandon Figueroa’s WBC strap. Inactivity had never appeared to affect the Philadelphia native. It was unlikely the cause of his defeat to Inoue last year. It will be telling how Fulton responds to his first defeat and what he and new trainer Bozy Ennis have worked on since.

Fulton told Boxing News at today’s official press conference that, “I expect him to bring his A-game. I’ll adjust, and I want to stop him; I know I can. In the lower weight class at 122, I couldn’t get much power when I was damn near coming down 25-30 pounds. I have campaigned at 122 since I started in 2014. Now I’m at a bigger weight class, I’m stronger. I displayed it in the gym, and now I’m going to display it in my fights.”

What To Expect From Carlos Castro?

Castro, 30, went largely under the radar until upsetting Genesis Servania on the Jose Ramirez-Jose Zepeda undercard on February 10, 2019; a unanimous decision win at super bantamweight. Five more victories followed, ending with stoppage wins over Cesar Juarez and Oscar Escandon. Castro’s 27 undefeated streak came to an end against fellow Mexican Luis Nery. He would start terribly finding himself on the canvas in the first round but would battle back to a narrowest of spilt decisions over ten rounds. However, his durability came undone in his next bout with Brandon Figueroa five months later. Having been down in the third round, Castro would ultimately receive his first knockout loss in the sixth. Castro has rebuilt with three straight wins in his hometown of Phoenix against lesser-known opposition. In the two fights where Castro faced elite opposition, he saw the canvas four times, losing both bouts.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Carlos Castro Prediction

Fulton has said he’s looking to “stop” Castro. He’s likely to make that happen when you look through both men’s recent fights. Fulton’s demotion to the prelims following five straight world title fights has openly upset him and gives him a point to prove in a constantly shifting featherweight division.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Carlos Castro Betting Odds

Per BetMGM, Stephen Fulton Jr. is the favorite at -750, and Carlos Castro is the underdog at +500.

Stephen Fulton Jr.: TKO/KO +300; Decision -225

Draw: +2200

Carlos Castro: TKO/KO +1200; Decision +900