Stephen Fulton outworks Angelo Leo to win WBO bantamweight title

Stephen Fulton proved to be the better fighter Saturday night, capturing the WBO super bantamweight title by outworking previously undefeated Angelo Leo over 12 intense rounds at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Scores were 118-110, and 119-109 twice.

Fulton (19-0, 8 KOs) started quickly, slashing Leo (20-1, 9 KOs) with jabs in the opening stanza. Leo was soon bleeding over his left eye, courtesy of an accidental headbutt.

Leo was more aggressive in the next few rounds, but Fulton got gritty with it, outworking the defending champion. His jab was back scoring points in the middle rounds. Leo did well in round seven, but Fulton scored with counters in the next few rounds.

Fulton,26, stayed one step ahead in rounds 11 and 12, working well on the inside.

“I told you that I would engage more in this fight,” said Fulton after the fight. “I boxed a little but I engaged more to show him that I’m better than him at what he does best. I’m used to dealing with fighting inside the gym, inside the ring. Everyone I’ve fought tried to bully me. This time I did to them what they try to do to me.”

In a battle of undefeated super bantamweights, Ra’seem Aleem knocked out tough Victor Pasillas in round 11.

Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) floored Pasillas (15-1, 8 KOs) three times before finishing things. His bodywork softened Pasillas up. Aleem, 30, landed a right hand, followed by a left hook that separated Pasillas from his senses. Pasillas rallied slightly in round eight, only to suffer his third knockdown. Aleem was too sharp and powerful for Pasillas.

Power-punching lightweight Rolando Romero stopped late replacement Avery Sparrow in round seven of a scheduled 12-rounder.

Romero (13-0, 11 KOs) floored Sparrow (10-3, 3 KOs) in the opening round with a sweet left hook. Sparrow survived and occasionally fought back. He fired a number of looping right hands. Romero went to the body well. His jab and right hand were on point. Sparrow hurt his knee in round six along with having two points deducted for a low blow. His corner called the fight off 43 seconds into round seven.