LOS ANGELES (May 8, 2025) – Undefeated Darius “DFG” Fulgham (14-0, 12 KOs) is positioning himself for his first world title shot as he prepares to face Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (15-1, 10 KOs) in what amounts to a World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight world title eliminator on May 30^th at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Fighting out of Houston, the 28-year-old Fulghum is ranked No. 4 by the WBA, one slot behind No. 3 Melikuziev, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist from Uzbekistan.

The May 30^th card, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will be streamed live on DAZN. Fulghum and Melikuziev are both promoted by Golden Boy.

“Everything is aligned and what’s happening on May 30^th was supposed to happen according to the plan,” Fulghum explained. “It’s a blessing. I’m going to showcase who I am and put the super middleweight division on notice. They will know who I am. The winner of this fight is going to be in great position for a world title shot. 3 PM (manager) and Golden Boy (promoter) have been making the moves, and my job is to fight whoever is in front of me, which makes the most sense.

“I’m coming May 30^th to dominate Bek and make a big splash. Bek goes by ‘Bully’, but he seems like a nice guy. He has an aggressive style but, no disrespect to him, it’s more of an amateurish style like an Uzbekistani fighter. I have all the tools to beat him, although he’s a little more experienced, and is  a good body puncher. I respect him.”

Melikuziev, 29, suffered the lone loss of his pro career four years ago, when he was knocked out by Gabriel Rosado (25-13-1) in round three for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International super middleweight title. Two years later, Melikuziev avenged that setback to Rosado by winning a 10-round unanimous decision, and he’s won his last three fights.

“Technically,” Fulghum said, “this is just another fight, but I’m excited to be fighting again in Las Vegas. My two best fights have been there (first and third round knockouts), including my last against a southpaw at the same venue (Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) as this fight. The energy is different at fights in Las Vegas, some of the best fighters and fights have been here. I’m ecstatic to fight in Las Vegas because it is the Mecca of Boxing.”

Fulghum doesn’t believe the results of fights against four common opponents with Melikuziev –Vaughn Alexander, Alan Campa, Alantez Fox and Ricardo Adrian Luna – or Melikuziev being a southpaw have any relevance in terms of the outcome of this 10-round, main event match-up.

“This is like a crossroad fight between two Golden Boy contenders to see who goes on to bigger and better things,” Fulghum concluded.

Fulghum was a decorated amateur boxer who was ranked No. 1 in the USA as a heavyweight, but as a professional he’s fought strictly as a super middleweight. He captured top honors at the 2018 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials; both of these major amateur accomplishments were

achieved while he was earning a nursing degree from Prairie View A & M University.

Fulghum is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), which has a growing stable of gifted boxers including WBA & WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), WBO No. 1/WBA No. 2-rated world super flyweight title challenger John “Scrappy” Ramirez (14-1, 9 KOs), former world heavyweight champion/WBC No. 4-rated Oleksandr “Nails” Gvozdyk (21-2, 17 KOs), former WBA Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Champion Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs) and German junior welterweight Simon “Saucy” Vollmer (6-0, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

Instagram/X//LinkedIn: @DariusFulghum

LOS ANGELES (January 13, 2024) – One of the fastest developing managerial companies in boxing, 3 Point Management (3 PM), is heading into a potentially explosive and title-collecting 2025, led by Unified World Cruiserweight Champion “Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), super flyweight world title contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez (14-1, 10 KOs and rising super middleweight prospect Darius “DFG” Fulghum (13-0, 11 KOs).

“Last year, everybody did what they were supposed to do to be in position for big fights in 2025,” said Julian Chua, one of the best young trainers in the industry, “especially ‘Zurdo’,’Scrappy’, and Darius. 3 PM has stacked and built what I believe will be a career-defining year for our stable of fighters.”

The lead trainer at state-of-the art Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, Chua is head trainer for “Zurdo,” “Scrappy” and another 3 PM fighter, light heavyweight Kareen “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs).

“Zurdo,” 33, is the first Mexican-born boxer to be crowned World Super Middleweight Champion and World Cruiserweight titlist, as well as the first Mexican fighter to unify World Cruiserweight titles. Ramirez is on a journey to become the undisputed, unified King of the Cruiserweights and that translates into a mega-fight against IBF world champion Jay Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs), of Australia. But there may also be opportunity for a Fight of the Century-type match for Ramirez against world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs), the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion who has indicated that he may drop back down to cruiserweight in an attempt to duplicate his feat. And there’s always a possibility of “Zurdo” moving up to the bridgerweight division before ultimately closing his career as a heavyweight.

“’Zurdo’ doesn’t kill himself to make weight anymore and that’s a big factor in his success at cruiserweight,” Chia noted. “The most concern for him moving up was durability but he’s proven that with his agility, angles, and defensive responsibilities. He’s not sitting in the pocket anymore because he throws 5 or 6 punches and then moves and resets. He changes his angles in the pocket and that’s a big ask for bigger guys. The cruiserweight division is perfect for him. He’s a stylish southpaw who will continue to chase all the belts; he has Badou Jack (IBF) and Jay Opetia (WBC). We still have a mandatory defense against (Yuniel) Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs), but against Opetia will be an epic fight and I like ‘Zurdo” to win that fight when the time comes.”

WBA No. 2-rated “Scrappy” (also WBC #15) is coming of an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Ephraim Bui (10-1, 8 KOs), avenging his first and only loss as a pro last April to veteran Fernando David Jimenez (16-1, 5-1, 11 KOs) last April 20th for the WBA Interim Super Flyweight World title.

“He handled that fight (vs. Bui) very well against a fighter with a lot of experience for a fighter who started boxing only eight years ago,” Chua added. “He showed his growth. He still has that swagger, but with some humility. Fighters who are undefeated don’t think anybody can beat them. ‘Scrappy’ was kind of a rogue in that fight (vs. Jimenez).

“’Scrappy’ has matured. I can’t wait until he shows everybody, maybe in one or two fights and by the end of 2025, he’s a world champion. He has a vibrant name in his division and his personality is refreshing. He’s very popular and a fighter on his way.”

The 28-year-old Fulgham, a former USA amateur heavyweight champion, has successfully transitioned into a super middleweight, where he is ranked No. 5 by the WBA. A licensed nurse fighting out of Houston, Fulghum is climbing the ladder at a relatively rapid pace.

“I don’t train Darius,” Chua commented, “but I’ve watched all his fights since he was Zurdo’s sparring partner for his fight (Dmitry) Bivol. He’s talented, very good, and he has a bright future. He’s slightly behind ‘Scrappy’ as a pro and 168 (super middleweight) is deep with some tough fighters. By 2026, I think Darius will be ready to win a world title. I have a lot of respect for his coach, Darnell Pierce. We talk quite a bit. The sky’s the limit for Darius.”

Chua also trains another 3 PM fighter, Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-1, 6 KOs), the former WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion from Toronto.

“Kareem slipped up a little bit in his last fight (only loss), but he has a bright future and all the skills to become world champion,” Chua pointed out. “Kareem dismantled (11-0) Clay Waterman on ProBox TV when he won the WBA Intercontinental title. In his next fight, Waterman lost a majority decision to Paulo Aokuso (8-0, 4 KOs), an undefeated fighter from Australia who was an Olympian. If Hackett is locked in, nobody in the light heavyweight division will beat him.”

Another member of the 3 PM stable is 22-year-old German super lightweight Simon “Saucy” Vollmer (6-0, 2 KOs), a four-time member of the German National Boxing Team. Vollmer trains at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica (CA) under the guidance of head trainer Pedro Neme.

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William Zepeda stopped former world title challlenger Mercito Gesta in round six of their 12-round lightweight bout at The Commerce Casino in Commerce, California.

Zepeda began his relentless offensive assault in round two and in round three began to swell the eyes of Gesta. In round five, Zepeda viciously battered Gesta all over the ring. Zepeda landed a staggering 217 power punches through five rounds. In round six, Zepeda beat up Gesta on the ropes as he landed about 20 unanswered shots and the fight was stopped at 1:31.

Zepeda, 134.3 lbs of San Mateo Attenco, MEX is 29-0 with 25 knockouts. Gesta, 134.2 lbs of Mandaue City PHI is 34-4-3.

“I am ready for the big fights out there – whether it be Devin Haney or even a Shakur Stevenson. Those are the guys who have the belts and that’s what I want next,” said William Zepeda. “There are incredible fights for me in my division, and I trust that Golden Boy will do what they can to get me to become a World Champion. I am ready to go home, rest and recover peacefully at home.”

Victor Morales remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Edwin Palomares in a featherweight fight.

In round 10, Morales was cut over his right eye.

Morales landed 162 of 434 punches. Palomares was 136 of 564.

Morales, 126 lbs of Vancouver, WA won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 19-0-1. Palomares, 125.4 lbs of Mexico City is 18-5-2.

“I hoped I showed Oscar and the team tonight that I am a warrior in the ring, and I can push through anything,” said Victor Morales Jr. “I am happy we get to take our belt back home with us.”

Yokasta Valle defended the IBF/WBO Minimumweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Maria Santizo.

Valle landed 98 of 292 punches. Santizo was 79 of 435.

Valle, 105 lbs of Matahalpa, NIC won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 29-2. Santizo, 104.2 lbs of Gutamala City, GUA is 11-4.

“I knew she was going to bring everything,” said Yokasta Valle. “She was training in Los Angeles to get incredible sparring and I knew she was well prepared for our fight. I am going to take a week off and enjoy the Costa Rican beaches and get back to training so I can be ready to fight on November 4 no matter who the opponent is.”

Darius Fulgham remained perfect with a second round stoppage over Ricardo Luna in a scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Luna was cut on his forehead. In round two, Fukgham landed a left hook to the side of the head that put Luna on a knee. Luna got to his feet, but the fight was a waved off at 1:30.

Fulgham, 170.8 lbs of El Paso, TX is 7-0 with seven knockouts. Luna, 170.8 lbs of Mexico City is 25-11-2.

Eric Priest remained undefeated with an eight-round majority decision over Simon Madsen in a middleweight bout.

Priest landed 121 of 284 punches. Madsen landed 104 of 360.

Preiest, 158.8 lbs of Wichita Falls, TX won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 76-76 and is now 11-0. Madsen, 158.6 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 13-2.

Daniel Garcia won a six-round unanimous decision over Erick Benitez in a lightweight fight.

Garcia, 132 lbs of Denver, CO is 7-0. Benitez, 131.6 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 4-5.

Alejandro Reyes won a six-round majority decision over Roberto Gomez in a super lightweight bout.

In round five, Reyes was bleeding over the left eye.

Reyes, 139.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57 and is now 11-0. Gomez, 140 lbs of Mexico City is 5-2.

Gael Cabrera won a six-round super lightweight bout over Juan Centeno in a super featherweight bout.

In round three, Centeno was cut on the lip. In the same round, Cabrera was cut on the right eyebrow.

Cabrera, 126.2 lbs of Sonora, MEX won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Centeno, 127.6 lbs of Managua, NIC is 8-9-4.

Jordan Cervantes won a four-round unanimous decision over Giovanny Meza in a super lightweight bout.

Cervantes, 136.4 lbs of East LA, CA won by scores of 40-36 on cards and is now 1-0. Meza, 137.2 lbs of El Paso, TX is 0-5.