Brandon Figueroa defends his WBC featherweight title in a rematch with Stephen Fulton in the main undercard attraction of the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell card this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fulton defeated Figueroa in a fantastic 2021 clash, though this rematch three years in the making is set to have a different finish this time around. Boxing odds have Figueroa as a -185 favorite, and Fulton is a +150 underdog.
Here are my best Figueroa vs. Fulton predictions and free betting picks for Saturday, February 1.
Figueroa vs Fulton prediction and pick
- My fight prediction
Figueroa moneyline (-185 at DraftKings) - My best bet
Figueroa by unanimous decision (+200 at DraftKings)
Fight analysis
Three years ago, Stephen Fulton narrowly outpaced Brandon Figueroa to become the best junior featherweight in the world via majority decision. While a rematch didn’t happen when it should have, these two are now facing off one division higher and have taken different paths to this point.
No longer seen as equals, Figueroa has bounced back from the loss and goes into this fight with the WBC featherweight title around his waist, while Fulton comes in as a potentially wounded challenger.
Fulton saw his career prospects peak and crash the night he faced Naoya Inoue. Inoue dominated Fulton, mercilessly beating him until the fight was stopped in the eighth round. “Cool Boy Steph” has run cold since, moving up to featherweight and struggling mightily against Carlos Castro in a fight he was lucky to have won on the cards.
While Fulton’s bravery and ability to tough it out with Figueroa in the trenches earned him the narrow nod the first time around, he’s not the same fighter now.
Figueroa forced Fulton into fighting his game, and Inoue’s wipeout win came because Fulton wasn’t as slick as advertised. Castro dropped him and also forced Fulton off his technical approach.
Fulton was a light puncher to begin with and is already getting knocked around in his new weight class. His squaring up with Figueroa is a recipe for disaster unless he turns in an uncharacteristically disciplined performance.
Since their first fight, Figueroa has been the better fighter and has acclimated well to the new division. Inoue relieved Fulton of his title and his confidence, and this is a tough fight for him to go into in this vulnerable state, especially with Figueroa firing on all cylinders right now.
Because Fulton will inevitably drop the ball and try to fight it out with Figueroa instead of sticking to his boxing, he’s primed to take a loss to his rival here.
Best best analysis
Fulton’s punch resistance seems to have dramatically declined after Inoue put him out, and he’s undersized to go blow-for-blow with Figueroa as he did in their first fight. Because Fulton will abandon his strategy and once again fight at Figueroa’s pace, that’s going to leave him open for a big right hand over the top, getting him in trouble.
While I won’t doubt Figueroa can finish him, I’m taking the champion to retain by unanimous decision as my best bet.
Brandon Figueroa vs Stephen Fulton odds
| Method of victory | Brandon Figueroa | Stephen Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Win outright | -185 | +150 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +260 | +750 |
| Win by points or decision | +145 | +245 |
| Draw | +1800 | +1800 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of 1-30.
Brandon Figueroa vs Stephen Fulton tale of the tape
| Figueroa | Fulton | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Age | 30 |
| 5-foot-9 | Height | 5-foot-6 |
| Featherweight | Weight Class | Featherweight |
| 72.5 inches | Reach | 70.5 inches |
| 25-1-1 | Record | 22-1 |
| 19 | Wins by KO | 8 |
Not intended for use in MA.
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