As Showtime returns to the boxing business, a new division looks to be heating up – the 122 lbs, super bantamweight division.

As many might know this weekend, 26-year-old Philly native and WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantam champion, undefeated Stephen Fulton will face Mayweather Promotions’ undefeated fighter Angelo Leo for the WBO super bantamweight world title that was recently vacated by Emanuel Navarrete.

If that isn’t enough Roc Nation Sports Tramaine Williams of Connecticut will face battle-tested Raeese Aleem, as a battle of undefeated super bantamweight will be featured on this card as well.

Let’s not forget, that Daniel Roman is in this division, M.J. Akhmadaliev, Brandon Figueroa, Carlos Castro, Mike Plania and in the not so distant future, Naoya Inoue.

As we have suffered so many obstacles this year, it appears that 122 lbs division is in a renaissance, which should lead to a wave of new and engaging fighters to watch for this upcoming decade.

So let’s try to best inform you about Saturday night’s Showtime main event (check local listing for time).

Fulton versus Leo

Stephen Fulton is a very quality boxer, a guy who has existed on undercards and smaller platforms solely based on his size, and not skill. In just 18 professional fights, Fulton has beaten Joshua Greer Jr., Adam “Blunose” Lopez, and Arnold Khegai. In fact, seven of the eighteen bouts, Fulton has won, have been against undefeated fighters meaning no matter how you cut it, his strength of schedule is strong as each fighter he faced with a winning record, came to win.

Fulton is a well-rounded fighter, who is able to control the fight with solid boxing skills, great reflexes, and an innate ability to slow a fight down and control the action. Against southpaws, Fulton tends to lead with his right hand to negate the action, and when landing cleanly Fulton has the ability to finish, and more so the mindset to want to finish the fight.

Leo, who is a beloved member of the Mayweather Boxing Club, works hard during the day, and trains with his father at Mayweather Boxing Club, relocating from New Mexico to Las Vegas, to chase his dream as a prizefighter. Leo is a southpaw, who puts forth an incredible pace, and gets stronger as a fight wages on.

The toughest part to gauge about this fight is both fighters can box and bang, as this fight might be won or lost not just by the fighter, but the coaching staff and those around them.

Leo’s record isn’t sexy, but if you talk to anyone around the gyms Leo inhabits, they have the utmost respect for him, and the way he stopped game spoiler, Cesar Juarez, was nothing short of a statement. Whereas we know, Fulton is a world-class boxer based on performance, Leo is someone the insiders have spoken highly of years, and now will be his chance to look to make a statement.

Williams V. Aleem

The co-feature, showcases WBO NABO super bantamweight champion undefeated Tramaine Williams against undefeated Raeese Aleem, a 30-year-old boxer who has been making statement after statement in his recent fights.

Williams, who was or is signed to Roc Nation Sports, is looking to regain footing on his career as years slipped by with inactivity. Between 2014-2016, Williams only fought once, and that is the reason that despite turning professional in 2013, he will be approaching only his 20th fight this year. Williams, a stand-out amateur, who beat Thompson Boxing’s Isaac Zarate very early in his career, has been very active this past year fighting four times, the most activity of any time in his career.

Aleem, on the other hand, turned pro two years before Williams, nine years ago, but has a fight less than him. In 2018, Aleem began to get active in the ring, as this is more than likely when he began to work with Greg Hannely and Prince Ranch Boxing, which has greatly benefited Aleem’s career. Aleem’s marquee wins are against Marcus Bates and Adam Lopez, two solid fighters, who a tier above a club show fighter. Aleem is extremely aggressive, and looking to get inside and land to the body.

The winner of this bout, will more than likely face the winner of the main event at some point down the road.

You can watch both of these bouts on Saturday, August 1st, on Showtime, check your local listings for the time.