Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda: Preview & Prediction
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On July 12, undefeated WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (23-0) returns to the ring for his third title defense. He takes on fellow unbeaten fighter and Interim Champion William Zepeda (33-0).
The highly anticipated showdown takes place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Two elite lightweights will put their perfect records on the line in a battle for supremacy:
Tale of the Tape
Stevenson, 28, takes on arguably the toughest test of his career. The supremely talented southpaw and outside boxer has consistently dominated his opposition, piling up one-sided unanimous decision wins. His toughest fight came in November 2023 against Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC World Lightweight Title.
The judges’ scorecards were razor-close in what proved to be a difficult stylistic clash. Stevenson had to neutralize the constant threat posed by the heavy-handed De Los Santos, ultimately edging out a win while relying almost exclusively on his right hand after claiming he broke his left during the fight.
Since then, Stevenson has defended his WBC Lightweight Title twice, defeating Artem Harutyunyan and Josh Padley. His ninth-round TKO victory over the previously unbeaten Padley in February helped restore some of the fanfare that had cooled after the De Los Santos fight.
Zepeda, 29, steps into the ring against the most skilled opponent of his career. The interim champion enters as the naturally larger man and will look to use that size advantage to his benefit. Known for his aggressive style and 81% knockout rate, Zepeda is a fan-favorite who brings nonstop pressure. Also a southpaw, he’ll be forced to battle for control of the ring against the defensively elite Stevenson.
William’s gas tank is a major asset, allowing him to maintain a relentless pace. In his most recent outing, a March rematch with crafty veteran Tevin Farmer, he threw a staggering 1,087 punches and landed 527. Their first meeting was razor-thin, ending in a split decision win for Zepeda. The rematch saw him secure a majority decision to remain undefeated.
Fight Prediction
Fans are in for a treat as two southpaws with contrasting styles meet in this world title clash. William Zepeda faces a daunting challenge as he looks to close the distance on an elite outside fighter while avoiding sharp counter-punches from Shakur Stevenson.
Stevenson hasn’t faced many high-volume punchers like Zepeda, so putting together a smart game plan will be key. He’ll rely on his usual strengths: crisp footwork, tight defense, and sharp counter-punching. Zepeda has shown he can be vulnerable to counters, going back to his first fight with Tevin Farmer where he was knocked down in the fourth round.
Zepeda will likely look to pressure Stevenson, cut off the ring, and trap him against the ropes where he can let his hands go. But Stevenson’s experience, technique, and fight IQ may ultimately be too much for the unbeaten interim champion, who has yet to face a technician of Stevenson’s caliber.
Prediction: Shakur Stevenson via Unanimous Decision
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