Stephen Fulton Gets Up From Fifth Round Knockdown To Edge Carlos Castro in Thrilling Featherweight Clash

Stephen Fulton narrowly secured a split decision victory over Carlos Castro at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout, relegated to the preliminary card of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga event, was a hidden gem that delivered excitement from start to finish.

Fulton, the former unified super bantamweight champion, entered the ring with a chip on his shoulder, feeling disrespected by his placement on the card. However, he maintained that he didn't need to prove anything to anyone. Nonetheless, the Philadelphia native put on an equally impressive and concerning performance, demonstrating his versatility as a fighter while also revealing potential vulnerabilities at his new weight class.

In the early rounds, Fulton, noticeably thicker at 126 pounds, struggled to navigate Castro's height advantage and long, straight punches. However, Fulton's superior punching accuracy was evident, highlighted by a thunderous overhand right in the second round that caught Castro flush on the cheek.

As the fight progressed into the middle rounds, the pace intensified. Castro continued to work behind his jab and straight right combinations. At the same time, Fulton, departing from his usual slick boxing style, planted his feet and unleashed power shots that repeatedly rocked Castro.

The fifth round nearly spelt disaster for Fulton. After landing a solid right hand, he lingered in the pocket, allowing Castro to counter with a jab-straight right combination that sent Fulton to the canvas. The knockdown seemed to energize Castro, who pursued Fulton aggressively. However, Fulton's defensive skills shone through as he weathered the storm, slipping and blocking most of Castro's follow-up attacks.

Displaying the heart of a champion, Fulton rebounded strongly in the sixth and seventh rounds, landing clean shots on Castro while pressing forward and countering. Yet, the eighth round saw Fulton wobbled again, forcing him to dig deep and push Castro onto the back foot.

The final rounds were a testament to both fighters' conditioning and will. Despite showing signs of fatigue with wider punches, Fulton found a second wind in the tenth round, unleashing a barrage that had Castro on the verge of a knockdown. However, the resilient Mexican fighter managed to stay upright and hear the final bell.

When the scorecards were read, the crowd held its breath. Judge Lisa Giampa saw the bout 95-94 for Castro, but she was overruled by Donald Sutherland (96-93) and Don Trella (95-94), who both scored it for Fulton.

This victory marks a crucial step in Fulton's career as he looks to establish himself in the featherweight division. Having suffered his first professional loss to Naoya Inoue in July 2023, this narrow win proves that Fulton remains a force to be reckoned with.

While Castro's loss is undoubtedly disappointing, his performance against a former unified champion will likely enhance his standing in the division. The bout showcased his ability to compete at the highest level, and fans will eagerly anticipate his next outing.

Ultimately, this preliminary card slugfest between Fulton and Castro delivered far more than its billing suggested, providing fans with a thrilling contest that may be remembered as one of the event's highlights.