American superstar Stephen Fulton has strenuously denied suggestions he never had any intention of making weight for Sunday’s hyped co-main against Liam Wilson, stressing: “I would’ve died to make it.”
It comes as the former world champion has also hit back at what was understood to be a No Limit social media clip of Wilson declaring “f*** Fulton” after the Philadelphia fighter skipped an open workout appearance 24 hours earlier.
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Only days after Fulton and Spence were announced to be fighting over a WBA super featherweight eliminator, No Limit used a Friday press conference to reveal the bout will now take place at an increased catchweight of 133 pounds.
It comes after Team Fulton asked for, and were granted, the late increase.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia if he feared the American had always planned to make a late weight change — particularly after Jermall Charlo withdrew – and Wilson gave a frank response.
“Yeah, it’s a possibility,” the Queenslander said of a rival who also came in heavy for his last fight against O’Shaquie Foster, hitting the scales a hefty two pounds over.
“So the talks with my camp,” Wilson continued, “I wouldn’t say it was expected but we knew it was looming.”
Speaking after Friday’s press conference, Fulton revealed he had first approached No Limit about increasing the weight for Sunday’s co-main by three pounds more than a week ago, and before jetting out for Sydney.
“Before I flew out here, I said something about it,” Fulton revealed. “It was behind closed doors and they [No Limit] said ‘try to make the weight’.
“So that’s what I did.
“And it’s why I didn’t turn up to the open workouts yesterday. I’d rather miss a media workout trying to save the card. That’s why I didn’t show up.”
Yet when asked how much he was struggling with the cut, Fulton added: “Not that much”.
Then quizzed on if there was any push back to his request, Fulton replied: “No”.
And why?
“Because we need the fight to happen,” he shrugged.
Asked if the co-main would have been canned had the change not been made, Fulton added: “I can’t say that. Because I would’ve died to make it.”
Fulton also took aim at a social media video captured after the open workouts, where Wilson addressed his rival being absent and struggling with weight.
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“What gave me confidence was yesterday when I saw a video of him saying ‘f*** Fulton’,” the American continued.
“He never had that energy with me when we were doing a Face Off interview. Where was that energy then?
“So that’s what gave me the confidence. And I was, ‘you know what? F*** him’. Now we’re going to fight. And I don’t care what happens.”
So as for why Wilson’s demeanour had changed?
“Not sure,” Fulton continued. “I don’t know who he was with [in the video] but they said something too, like ‘oh, we’re not here because of Fulton’.
“But you are. You are.
“Maybe someone was hyping him up a little. But I feel like I was taking the humble route, even at our first little face off.
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“But sometimes you can’t be humble with everybody. He got a little too comfortable.
While obviously being upset at the late change, and the impact it will have on what was supposed to be a super featherweight eliminator, Wilson remained focused on the job at hand.
“It doesn’t piss me off,” he said. “I’ve fought guys who’ve come in heavy before.
“And they’re either doing it hard or think they’ll have an advantage over me.
“And whatever it may be, I’ve prepared for the best version of them. So if Fulton needs to be the best version of himself by coming in heavier, I’m ready.
“I can’t wait to showcase my skills.”
Reckon you’ll also be more dangerous at the catchweight?
“Between me and you, yeah,” Wilson grinned. “Extra weight will do me a favour. It might do him a favour too but I’m a big super featherweight and it will be nice to have some leeway there.
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“And if anything, it’s relieving. I have less weight to lose.
“But I’m also a professional.
“The weight limit was 130 and I was prepared to make that. I was actually talking to my team over there saying I might still make it. But it might be safer to meet the guidelines now at 133.”
And as for losing eliminator status?
“I’m still treating it as a world title eliminator,” Wilson stressed. “Because a win will take me on to bigger and better fights. To have Fulton on my resume will mean everything to me. We have a job to do Sunday.”