Raeese Aleem: record, next fight and profile →
In the long-awaited battle between undefeated rising junior featherweight stars, WBO 122-pound World Champion Angelo Leo meets Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr., in the main event of the first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast of 2021 Saturday, January 23 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The first Showtime Championship Boxing telecast is officially on the schedule. Angelo Leo will top the 2021 premier of Showtime’s flagship series, as he will make the first defense of his junior featherweight title versus Stephen Fulton. The battle of unbeaten 122-pounders will top a televised tripleheader which takes place January 23 live from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated super bantamweight contender Raeese “The Beast” Aleem (17-0, 11 KOS) continues to train hard as he awaits for an opportunity to fight for the 122-pound world title.
Ra’eese Aleem doesn’t want to hear any more excuses the next time his name surfaces in a conversation regarding title fights. The unbeaten junior featherweight contender strengthened his case to compete at the top level following his latest performance. Aleem impressed home viewers in a 10th round stoppage of Marcus Bates in their Showtime-televised rematch Saturday evening at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The return of “Showtime Championship Boxing” drew lower viewership than usual Saturday night than the series typically attracts. According to Nielsen Media Research figures released Tuesday, the premium cable network’s three-bout broadcast peaked at 209,000 viewers during the main event. That bout, Angelo Leo’s unanimous-decision victory over Tramaine Williams in a 12-round fight for the then-vacant WBO junior featherweight title, attracted an average of 150,000 viewers.
Aleem, Bates Fight Photos Gallery - Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. - In the co-featured bout, a WBA Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator, 122-pound contender Ra’eese Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact via TKO over late replacement Marcus Bates (11-2-1, 8 KOs). (photos by Amanda Westcott)
Ra’eese Aleem dominated Marcus Bates in their rematch Saturday night. Aleem remained unbeaten by thoroughly out-boxing Bates and stopping his injured opponent during the 10th round of their 12-round, 122-pound WBA elimination match at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Bates appeared to have injured his right wrist during the ninth round, wasn’t using his right hand in the 10th round and referee Gary Rosato ended the bout once Bates turned away from Aleem after absorbing a left hook to the body with about 50 seconds to go in that final round.
Marcus Bates believes something sinister occurred in his corner the night he lost to Ra’eese Aleem two years ago. Bates claimed an unidentified cut man who worked his corner during that bout tampered with the water he was given between rounds. Aleem won their eight-round bout by unanimous decision in April 2018 at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Their fight Saturday night is as much a grudge match for Ra’eese Aleem as it is a chance at redemption for Marcus Bates. Aleem is offended by Bates’ allegation that tainted corner water was primarily responsible for his unanimous-decision defeat to Aleem two years ago. Bates lost their eight-round fight to Aleem by big margins on all three scorecards, but Aleem promised that their rematch won’t even go the distance Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Williams, Leo Weights Photos Gallery - Four-time world champion and Olympian Abner Mares will join this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® announce team. Mares will work alongside the most experience and decorated boxing team in television including host Brian Custer, play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo and four International Boxing Hall of Famers Al Bernstein (analyst), Jimmy Lennon, Jr. (in ring), Steve Farhood (scoring), and Jim Gray (ringside reporter). (photos by Amanda Westcott)