Stephen Fulton Jnr believes victory over O’Shaquie Foster will rubber-stamp his credentials to get into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
They meet on October 25 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the card topped by the WBC junior middleweight title fight between champion Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman.
Fulton is the WBC featherweight champion while Foster holds the WBC belt at junior lightweight.
“This fight is helping to put me in the Hall of Fame,” said Philadelphia’s Fulton. “It would help stamp it. That’s why it’s an important fight for me.
“We’re two young, hungry fighters putting it all on the line and leaving everything in the ring. We’re gonna get in there and throw that leather. I will become three-division world champion.
“He’s a fighter and he believes in his skills. Same as me. I can’t say anything bad about that. My job is to show him that there are levels and that experience matters. I’m gonna show my talent as well.
The 23-1 (8 KOs) “Scooter” has won his last two, defeating Carlos Castro and Brandon Figueroa (for a second time), since suffering the lone loss of his career, to Naoya Inoue in Japan in 2023. The 31-year-old believes the defeat to Inoue has made him a better fighter in the long run.
“I think I gained more than I lost, especially in my mental space, since fighting Naoya Inoue,” he explained. “That’s allowed me to fight better. I’m in a better headspace and really that loss is the best thing to happen to me. I know not to put my energy into things I can’t control. If my mental is perfect, I fight perfect.
“I’m gonna be a lot better in this fight at this weight. I’m going to be more comfortable and closer to the weight I rehydrate to. There’s no step too big when you’re trying to be great.
“I’m just in a good space right now. I’m happy and enjoying myself. I don’t have to take it too seriously. That makes me a better version of myself in the ring.
“My mentality changed from losing and seeing who turned their back and how people treated me. Those life lessons forced me to be patient. I take that patience into the ring as well. It’s a fast-paced sport, but you have to be patient.”
Foster, from Texas, is 23-3 (12 KOs) and has split his last two, with Cuban Robson Conceicao, following a split decision loss with a split decision win.
“It’s gonna be fireworks, but we’re standing on business. That belt isn’t going anywhere,” said Foster.
“I thought he had nervous energy at our first face off. Whatever energy I bring, I’m bringing the same energy every time. I have to look at these people like they’re taking something off my plate. But I’m not playing.
“This is the biggest moment of my career because this fight will take me where I want to go in the sport. This is the most important fight of my career."
The 32-year-old defiantly added: “This isn’t gonna be like Terence Crawford moving up in weight. That’s not happening. I’m handling business.
“I feel like I’m being disrespected. We’re fighting for my title. That’s where all my energy came from at the first press conference. I’m planning on making everyone pay for it on October 25.
“The Fulton fight is the perfect opportunity for me to get an opponent who’s more accomplished in front of me. He’s a good name on my resume.”
