Stephen Fulton vs Carlos Castro Preview September 14th, 2024
Former WBA and WBO Bantamweight boss Stephen Fulton of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania returns to the ring for the first time since losing his titles to Naoya Inoue via an eighth-round stoppage in July, 2023. He’ll be facing Carlos Castro of Mexico in a 10-round featherweight battle this Saturday, September 14th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga affair and can be seen live on You Tube before the pay-per-view action gets underway. Castro, who fights out of Phoenix, Arizona, last fought in April when he beat Belmar Preciado via a 10-round unanimous decision.
Fulton vs Castro Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Carlos Castro +450
- Stephen Fulton -700
My Pick
The 30-year-old Fulton has fought 151 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014 and enters the bout with a fine mark of 21-1 with 8 Ko’s. He’s not known as a power puncher or heavy hitter by any means as he owns a current knockout ratio of just 38.1 per cent with three stoppages in his last 10 fights. He stands just over 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 70.5-inch reach and is regarded as a highly skilled boxer with speed and excellent footwork.
Just one of his first seven opponents had a winning record but since then he’s managed to defeat boxers such as Danny Roman, Brandon Figueroa, Angelo Leo, Joshua Greer Jr, Luis Rosario. Adam Lopez, Jesus Ahumada and German Meraz. Fulton’s amateur record was a reported 75-15 and he also participated in the World Series of Boxing. His first world title triumph came in May, 2019 when he won the IBO World Super Bantamweight Title via a wide 12-round unanimous decision over Paulus Ambunda.
Fulton then captured the WBO Inter-Continental Belt by 12-round unanimous decision over Arnold Khegai in January, 2020. A year later he added the WBO World Title with another unanimous decision, this time over Angelo Leo. Next up, in November, 2021, Fulton added the WBC Belt to his collection when he edged Brandon Figueroa by a highly controversial majority decision after being outlanded 314 to 269 and being outpunched 1,060 to 726. In addition, Fulton outlanded Figueroa in just two of the 12 rounds. Of course, those belts were lost to Inoue in Tokyo in his last fight.
The 30-year-old Castro climbs through the ropes with a 30-2 record with 14 Ko’s. He’s boxed 182 rounds since making his pro debut in 2012 following a short amateur career. Castro has average punching power as 46.7 per cent of his victories have been by stoppage. Four of his last five victories have been by stoppage and he’s gone 3-2 in his past five fights. Castro measures 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 70-inch wingspan so more or less matches Fulton both height and reach.
Since turning pro Castro has captured the WBC USNBC, WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight Titles and won the vacant WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Crown with his 10th-round stoppage won over Oscar Escandon in August, 2021. His biggest wins have been over Escandon, Cesar Juarez, Jesus Garcia, Mario Maldonado, Juan Palacios, Jorge Diaz, German Meraz and Genesis Servania. His first loss came at the hands of Luis Nery in February, 2022 when he dropped a 10-round split decision to former world champion Luis Nery. Brandon Figueroa then dropped him in the third round and stopped in the sixth round five months later to hand him his second defeat.
Prediction…
This is a fine matchup for Fulton in his return to the ring as Castro is no pushover and should be a pretty stiff test. Fulton has the edge in all areas here though except when it comes to power. There’s a good chance this fight goes the distance and I believe Fulton’s skill and speed will see him rebound successfully from the loss to Inoue.
Fulton has the superior boxing skills.
Play Fulton -700 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Carlos Castro betting • Stephen Fulton betting