Super middleweight Darius Fulghum took a step toward his goal of a top-10 world ranking by a major sanctioning body after defeating late replacement Vaughn Alexander in a 10-round unanimous decision Thursday at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
The bout, Fulghum’s first main-event appearance, saw him win on all three judges’ scorecards, 98-82, 98-92 and 99-91.
Fulghum (12-0, 10 KOs), 27, from Houston, was initially scheduled to face veteran Ronald Ellis. However, Ellis fell ill earlier in the week, prompting Alexander (18-12-1, 11 KOs), 38, from St. Louis, to step in on short notice. Known for his ability to disrupt prospects’ plans, Alexander made the fight challenging for Fulghum, demonstrating his experience in last-minute matchups, and overall ring intelligence.
The statistics highlighted the fight’s dynamics: Fulghum landed 168 punches out of 511, while Alexander connected with 78 out of 244. Their connect percentages were nearly identical, with Fulghum at 33 percent and Alexander at 32 percent.
The first round was tentative, with both fighters hesitant to engage, leading to an underwhelming start. Fulghum was cautious in his approach, and Alexander appeared to conserve energy for the latter half of the fight. Despite this, Fulghum showcased his potential, though he is still developing as a fighter. Alexander aimed to land a significant shot rather than winning rounds, leading to a less attractive fight and frustrating the audience as Fulghum’s typically high punch volume dropped.
Between the sixth and seventh rounds, Fulghum informed his corner that his right hand was hurting. This injury, coupled with Alexander’s tricky style, contributed to a lackluster fight that failed to excite the crowd. Fulghum’s debut as a main-event fighter did not meet expectations, partly due to his injury and partly due to Alexander’s tactics.
The rounds became repetitive as Fulghum relied on his youth as much as his skill to secure the victory. While Fulghum emerged victorious, his performance likely fell short of his aspirations. The right hand injury and the disruption caused by the late replacement may have impacted his performance. Fulghum’s win highlighted areas for improvement as he continues his journey toward becoming a top contender.
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