Stephen Fulton has charted an unblemished course to become the WBC and WBO super bantamweight title. His dubious prize on Tuesday is a showdown with one of the most fearsome punchers of the 21st century.
Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) is gunning for world titles in a fourth weight class having reigned at light flyweight and super flyweight before a stunning run at bantamweight that ended with him becoming undisputed champion via a one-sided beating of Paul Butler last December.
American Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will hope his size, speed, and skills fighting both at range and in the pocket give Inoue the toughest test of his sensational career.
Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez defends his WBO featherweight title against veteran Japanese southpaw Satoshi Shimizu in the chief support contest.
Kanamu Sakama bt. Ryu Horikawa TKO 8/8 to win the vacant Japanese light flyweight title
Sakama (8-0, 7 KOs) demonstrated why he is one of the most highly-rated prospects in Japanese boxing with a dominant display against the overmatched Horikawa (3-2-2, 1 KO). The 20-year-old dictated the pace in an all-action contest, scoring well to head and body. The end came with 20 seconds remaining, the referee waving off the action with Horikawa under a heavy onslaught, at which point the beaten and bloodied fighter crumpled to the canvas.
Closed the show in style 🌟@Kanamu_Sakama | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/WbNmQUteSw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Yoshiki Takei bt. Ronnie Baldonado TKO 3/8; super bantamweights
Former kickboxing star Takei (7-0, 7 KOs) continued his transition to the Queensberry Rules with another authoritative win inside the distance. His Filipino foe Baldonado (16-5-1, 9 KOs) got home with a couple of meaty right hands in round two but the response was emphatic. Takei set up his winning assault with a ramrod southpaw jab before slipping under Baldonado’s right cross to land a debilitating left hook to the midriff. Baldonaldo looked to move away but fell to the mat in agony. A classic body shot stoppage.
The sound of that body shot 😮💨
@Tankiti000 | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/7wlCuASgQw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Fulton vs. Inoue fight card
- Stephen Fulton (c) vs. Naoya Inoue; for the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles
- Robeisy Ramirez (c) vs. Satoshi Shimizu; for the WBO featherweight title
- Chihiro Iwashita bt. Hiroyuki Takahara TKO 4/8; super featherweights
- Kanamu Sakama bt. Ryu Horikawa TKO 8/8 to win the vacant Japanese light flyweight title
- Taiga Imanaga bt. Hebi Marapu SD 8; lightweights
- Yoshiki Takei bt. Ronnie Baldonado TKO 3/8; super bantamweights
The sound of that body shot 😮💨
@Tankiti000 | #FultonInoue pic.twitter.com/7wlCuASgQw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 25, 2023
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue start time
Ringwalks for the main event are scheduled to commence at around 8:30 p.m. local time, translating to championship boxing over breakfast at 7:30 a.m. ET.
How to watch Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue: TV channel, live stream
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue is live on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue price: How much does the fight cost?
Product | Prices |
---|---|
ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $12.99/month |
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |
How to watch Stephen Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue in the UK, Australia, Canada
Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
Canada | — | TSN+ |
U.K. and Ireland | Sky Sports | Sky Go |
Australia | — | Main event on Kayo |