This Saturday night in Phoenix, the spotlight’s on the undefeated super middleweight hotshot Darius “DFG” Fulghum (9-0, 9 KOs) as he gears up for his career’s biggest hurdle yet. He’s squaring off against the seasoned Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (28-5-1, 13 KOs), a former world title contender, in a bash hosted by Golden Boy Promotions.
Topping the bill is Jaime Munguia vs. John Ryder, with all fists flying live on DAZN from Footprint Arena, including Fulghum’s 10th pro fight.
Two years back, Fox had a crack at the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight World Championship against David Morrell but couldn’t clinch the title. He’s tangled with big names like two-division world champ Demetrius Andrade, Liam Williams, and Erik Bazinyan.
Fulghum, 27, eyes Fox as his toughest test yet. “I’ve done my homework on him,” he says. “He’s loaded with experience, and I’m gunning to make a splash in this showdown. I’m psyched about throwing punches on the DAZN stage again.”
With a rich blend of amateur and pro experience, Fulghum boasts a chameleon-like style, ready to adapt to any ring ruckus. “My goal? Get the world hooked on my skills. If folks are itching to see me back in the ring post-fight, I’ve hit my mark.”
Riding a perfect streak of 9 knockouts in 9 fights, Fulghum’s stepping into his first 10-rounder against Fox. “Knockouts? If they come, they come,” he remarks. “Nailing a 10-out-of-10 knockout streak would be epic. I trust my crew, 3 PM and Golden Boy, to steer me right. By year’s end, I’m aiming to be within punching range of big names like Canelo and Benevidez. Those are the fights I’m hungry for, but I’ve got to prove my mettle first.”
Fulghum’s prep for his maiden 10-rounder hasn’t veered off course. “I train for every bout as if it’s for the world title. I’ve ramped up physically and mentally, fully dialed in on the task at hand.”
This decorated amateur, once the USA’s top heavyweight and now a super middleweight pro, bagged the 2018 National Golden Gloves and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. All this while juggling a nursing degree from Prairie View A&M University. A fighter in the ring and a healer by training, Fulghum’s ready to administer a dose of his boxing brilliance this Saturday.
Darius “DFG” Fulghum Celebrating banner 2023
Darius “DFG” Fulghum, the super middleweight wrecking ball, wrapped up a dynamite 2023 by sending Pachino “Chino” Hill to dreamland in the second round on December 2nd. This Houston showdown was part of a card headlined by Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte, streamed live on DAZN from Toyota Center.
This 27-year-old Houston native has been on a tear, racking up a 6-0 record in 2023, all by knockout, since May. That’s a perfect 9-0, with each victory coming by way of a snooze-fest for his opponents. In his six bouts this year, he’s only needed 16 rounds total to tuck his rivals into bed.
2023 also saw Fulghum team up with 3 Point Management (3 PM) in LA, and ink a deal with Golden Boy Promotions. “It’s like the stars aligned for me,” Fulghum said, reflecting on his journey from college grad in 2019, through the pandemic, to The Nationals in boxing.
He mused, “I could’ve only topped this year by grabbing a world title, but let’s be real, that wasn’t on the cards just yet. But man, six knockouts in seven months? I’ve learned a ton, both in and out of the ring. I’m always grinding, prepping for the day I strap that world title around my waist. Big shoutout to my family for their unwavering support.”
Off the ring, Fulghum’s a licensed nurse with a degree from Prairie View A & M University. As an amateur, he was the top dog in the USA as a heavyweight, despite fighting lighter as a pro. He bagged the top spot at the 2018 National Golden Gloves and the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, all while juggling college.
For his second pro fight in Houston, Fulghum wanted to throw a knockout party for his home crowd. And he delivered, big time.
In a move that mixed style with sentiment, Fulghum sported his Prairie View A & M cap and gown during his ring walk and post-fight victory moment. “I wanted to make my Houston debut memorable,” he said. “The love I felt from the crowd was insane. Houston really turned up for me.”
If 2023 was his banner year, Fulghum’s eyeing 2024 as his breakthrough. “I’m aiming to shake things up in the 168 lbs. division,” he declared. “I’m not in a position to call out the big guns yet, but next year? I want everyone glued to their screens, watching me take on the toughest out there.”