Angelo Leo will now fight Tramaine Williams for WBO jr. featherweight belt after Stephen Fulton Jr. gets COVID-19
The main event of Showtime’s first live boxing broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic starting sweeping across the U.S. in March nearly got derailed when one of the fighters tested positive for the disease days before the bout.
Angelo Leo was set to fight Stephen Fulton Jr. for the vacant WBO junior featherweight world championship title on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. — until Fulton was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Undefeated contender Tramaine Williams will now face the 26-year-old Leo, who is vying to become the first world champ from his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., since Johnny Tapia.
Leo, a Mayweather Promotions fighter, is 19-0 with 9 KOs. Williams, 27, of New Haven, Conn., sports the same 19-0 record, with 6 knockouts.
Williams having to step in for Fulton also resulted in a last-minute change on the co-main event. Ra’eese Aleem, who had been set to fight Williams, will now face Marcus Bates in the WBA super bantamweight title elimination match.
The night’s opening bout features light heavyweights Joe George (10-0, 6 KO) and Marcos Escudero (10-1, 9 KO) in a 10-round rematch of their November fight that George won in a split decision.
Photo: Mayweather Promotions