Imagine stepping into the ring, knowing you’re about to face someone who shares your pain—a fellow fighter who’s tasted defeat at the hands of the same opponent. That’s exactly what happened when Darius Fulghum and David Stevens squared off in Fort Worth, Texas. Golden Boy Promotions paired these two super middleweights, both fresh off losses to Bektemir Melikuziev, in a matchup that left everyone wondering: could either man redeem himself? Spoiler alert: it didn’t go as planned.
Fulghum, hailing from Houston, was still reeling from a unanimous decision loss to Melikuziev on May 30 in Las Vegas. Stevens, a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania, had suffered a split decision defeat to the same fighter in late 2024. But here’s where it gets controversial: instead of a thrilling comeback story, their bout at Dickies Arena on Saturday turned into a sluggish, action-starved affair that had the audience booing during the most uneventful moments. Neither fighter seemed willing to take control, leaving the judges with a headache. The result? A split decision that felt like a no-win situation: 96-94 for Fulghum and two scores of 95-95. Essentially, a draw that satisfied no one.
And this is the part most people miss: while the main event fell flat, the undercard delivered knockout drama. Middleweight Amari Jones (15-0, 13 KOs) showcased his power with a third-round technical knockout of Shady Gamhour. Jones, who had already dropped Gamhour earlier in the round, sealed the deal with a vicious right to the face followed by a head shot, ending the bout at 2:54. ‘I pressed him and got him out of there,’ Jones said post-fight. Fun fact: Gamhour is trained by none other than boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
In the DAZN opener, 2024 U.S. Olympian Joshua Edwards improved to 5-0 with his fifth knockout, stopping Zeno Vooris in the third round. Edwards, known for his power, took his time to display a more technical approach, jabbing with both hands before opening a cut above Vooris’ left eyebrow. The fight was halted at 2:34 when Vooris’ corner threw in the towel. Bold prediction: Edwards’ versatility could make him a force to watch in the coming years.
Now, let’s pivot to the bigger picture: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin, a matchup previewed on BoxingScene Today as one of the year’s most intriguing. What’s at stake? And could Boots Ennis be next in line for the winner? These are the questions buzzing in the boxing world. But first, let’s ask ourselves: Is pairing two fighters coming off losses to the same opponent a recipe for redemption or just a guaranteed snooze-fest? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
