Darius Fulghum was on the wrong end of a grueling unanimous decision defeat to Bektemir Melikuziev in May, but the super middleweight contender will get to prove his first professional loss was a mere aberration when he returns Saturday to take on David Stevens.

The bout will take place on the undercard of the battle between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Fulghum (14-1, 12 KOs) and Melikuziev fought in an underrated firefight decided on the cards in the 12th round once Fulghum suffered a knockdown.

Heading into the fight against Stevens (15-2, 10 KOs), the 29-year-old Fulghum is promising to make a splash once again as a can't-miss contender at 168 pounds.

“I feel like I’m still at the top of the division, and this fight is a great opportunity to showcase my skills,” Fulghum said in a press release. “I want to put on a great performance to be in contention for one of those four belts. I’m not far away – one or two more fights – but it all depends on how I perform.

“In my last fight, skill-wise, I was superior to Bek. I thought I won the fight. I didn’t and it happened. I think experience was a factor, my ego got the best of me. I never liked bullies, and made it my mission to not get bullied. I wouldn’t take a step backwards, but should have boxed right from the start.

“It’s all part of learning lessons. It’s not the end of the world, it’s part of my story. It is what it is. I would like to think that we’ll meet again, but for a world title. Things will work out. That fight is in the past, I will grow and keep learning.”

Melikuziev landed 170 of 442 punches to Fulghum's 169 of 407, according to CompuBox, and Fulghum even broke Melikuziev’s nose.

Against Stevens, Fulghum will face a foe who gave Melikuziev a tough fight in November 2024 during a 12-round split decision loss.

“I know a lot about David Stevens,” Fulghum said. “He trains here [in Houston] and we’ve sparred. I’ve seen him around for a long time. He is unique to himself, and unlike anybody I’ve fought. This is a dangerous fight, he’s going to bring his stuff. I need to set the tone from the start.”

Fulghum is anticipating that a win against Stevens will better align him for a title down the line.

“Crawford has those belts. Will he stay in this weight class? Will he retire? Will the division be opened up? I want to put myself in position,” Fulghum continued. “My time will be perfect for a world title fight.”