World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton of the United States did short public workout at Yokohama’s Ohashi Boxing Gym on July 14 before his title defense against top-ranked challenger Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of the gym on July 25 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

  While the 28-year-old Fulton, who arrived in Japan on July 11, engaged himself only in about 50-second shadowboxing left-handed followed by a punchball hitting, although he quit hitting soon, citing the ball is too small (for him). Fulton and his handlers left the gym shortly after.

  Before the training, Fulton responded to reporters’ questions and said when the scheduled 12-round title fight was postponed from the initially scheduled May 7 due to Inoue’s fist injuries during training in early March, Fulton said the fight would be cancelled altogether, and if so, he would move up in class (to featherweight).

  Since the fight with Inoue was rearranged soon after, Fulton said he resumed training after a two-week hiatus.

  Fulton kept his comments on Inoue to a minimum as he only said Inoue is an excellent boxer with good timing, adding he would not come to Japan if he did not have confidence in himself. He said he has no trouble making (the super bantamweight) weight limit.

  After Fulton and his handlers left the gym, Shingo Inoue, a trainer of the gym and the father of Naoya, said, ‘’I had thought he (Fulton) would have a little more training (at the gym). Since this was a public training session, I think it would be a little bit rude (for people gathering at the gym).

  ‘’I think he was bigger than what I had thought he would be. He would stand 170-cm or a little taller. But there is nothing about Naoya that is inferior to him.’’

  ‘’Naoya is highly concentrated since the upcoming fight is his very first fight (after moving up to super bantamweight). He has no his ups and downs this time around. He has been good on average.’’

  The undefeated Fulton has 21 straight wins, including eight knockouts. The 30-year-old Inoue, who was a former undisputed world bantamweight champion, is also undefeated in his 24 professional bouts, including 21 KOs.