Figueroa and Fulton eager to kindle rematch

At a press conference held in Los Angeles, California, World Boxing Council featherweight champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified super-bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. announced their keenly anticipated rematch inked in for Saturday, February 1 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

When they fought in November 2021, Fulton defeated Figueroa by majority decision in one of the best fights of the year.

Here is what the two of them had to say:

BRANDON FIGUEROA:
“I want to fight the best, so congratulations to Fulton for stepping up. This is the fight I’ve been waiting for for the last three years and I don’t plan on leaving it up to the judges this time.

“I learned a lot from the loss. It lit a flame in me that hasn’t gone out. “We both came to fight and I’m excited for the rematch to be even bigger and better now on one of the best cards of the year.

“This means everything. I can get my edge back and give the fans another exciting show. It was fun the first time with a controversial decision, but I’m not leaving it up to the judges. “He had trouble with Carlos Castro and I took him out of there in six rounds.

“I’m growing and evolving as a fighter. My fire is burning stronger and stronger. “I just want to prove that I’m the best at 126 pounds and one of the best fighters in the world.

“I’m going to fight my fight. I’m going to come forward and I’m aggressive. I have a unique style. This time I’m hungry to make a statement. “I want to challenge Naoya Inoue, that’s the goal.

“On February 1st he’ll see that I hurt him at 122 pounds and at 126 pounds I’m going to dispatch him. “I’m making a statement and it won’t last 12 rounds.”

STEPHEN FULTON JR:
“Round 13 is coming up. I’m thankful he’s accepted the fight again and I can’t wait to get in the ring. I know how he fights. We know each other and when you do, you know what to expect from your opponent. I hope it’s back to being action-packed.

“I’ll finish my work on February 1 and make the necessary adjustments. I have the power to hurt him. Whoever gets in the ring with me in the future will see that.

“People forget who I am. I can do whatever I want in that ring. I have to remind everyone right now. Can I knock him out? Yes, because he runs into things. There are a lot of ways I know I can beat this guy. On February 1, I’ll be a two-division world champion. I’m going to make this clearer.

“I felt good in my last fight. Even when I got knocked down, I wasn’t hurt. Being in the higher weight class gives me the extra strength and energy I need.

“I won the fight, so I don’t really care what anyone says about my last fight. I know I’m going to come out on top. I’m bigger and stronger and I’ve learned a lot now. “He’s going to figure that out.

“I’m here to be world champion again. Believe me.”