Stephen Fulton will always be grateful to Brandon Figueroa. Thanks to him, Fulton was able to become a unified champion in 2021. Their all-out war also allowed him to show the rest of the world that he’s more than just a smooth boxer.

Fulton, currently unranked by The Ring, had his undefeated record snatched away by Naoya Inoue. After taking some time away, the now 30-year-old made his return, winning a close but clear split decision over Carlos Castro in his featherweight debut.

It’s been three years since Fulton and Figueroa have seen one another but come February 1st, they’ll meet up again.

Things are a bit different this time around. Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs) will stroll into their rematch beltless while Figueroa is the man holding the hardware. Still, being bereft of a world title is only a temporary feeling according to Fulton. As he puts the finishing touches on an arduous training camp, Fulton is feeling confident about how things will play out.

Being in the game for so long, Fulton knows how the next few weeks will go. He’ll continue to train, jump on the scales at 126 pounds or less, march into the ring, and if everything goes right, win. With that said, there’s something else that will immediately follow.

Over the years, Fulton has developed a love/hate relationship with the media. At times, he isn’t a fan of what they opt to write about him. But, come February 2nd, the day after his showdown against Figueroa, he believes that every writer and pundit will type out the same headline.

“Fulton stops Figueroa in the ninth to become two-weight world champ, three-time world champion,” Fulton told PBC when asked what he believes journalists will be saying about him in the aftermath.

Since he beat him once, Fulton believes he can do it. But, even with his confidence through the roof, Fulton knows that his preparation has to be nearly perfect.

There isn’t any fear emanating from Fulton but he’s completely aware that in order to achieve that heavenly feeling of winning a world title, he’ll have to go through hell first.

“I’m very familiar with his style now. I know what to expect from him. I know what type of punishment to expect.”