WBO super-bantamweight champion Angelo Leo has paid tribute to the impact of promoter Floyd Mayweather ahead of his crunch fight with No.1 contender Stephen Fulton at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, tonight.
Albuquerque’s Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) was originally supposed to face Fulton for the vacant WBO 122lbs crown last August before the Philadelphian withdrew after contracting Covid-19 on the eve of the fight. In his absence, Leo decisioned late sub Tramaine Williams to claim the world title inspired by Mayweather’s direction.
Leo says modern great Mayweather has already delivered on his promise to make him a world champion within a two-year timeframe and also passed on some crucial advice that will aid him in his quest to defeat the slick Fulton.
“Training at Mayweather’s Gym has really helped me just for the fact that you get so many different fighters coming in from all over the world, and you see so many different styles and different looks,” said Leo. “So it’s great for me. It really pushes me. It’s a great experience for any fighter to train there.
“The one thing Floyd told me is that he was going to make me a champion in two years. He kept his word, two-and-a-half years or less I became a world champion. He wasn’t as present for this camp, but at my last camp he deeply impacted me with tips on how to approach the fight with Fulton and his style. Tips that carried over into this camp.
“Fulton’s a good fighter. He’s got his style down pat. He likes to use his jab and control the distance. You can’t take anything away from him. He was out for a year, so I’m taking advantage of that.
“My advantages are my pressure, my work rate and my boxing IQ. I think a lot of people underestimate that about me. The 122lbs division is stacked with a lot of talent. There’re a lot of fighters who are still undefeated and I just want to fight the best. This fight against Fulton has taught me a lot already; it’s a huge fight for me. I know that winning this already solidifies my spot. Then I can focus on who is the next big fight.”
Main image: Showtime.