William Zepeda is now ranked #1 in all 4 sanctioning our bodies at light-weight and is poised for a world title shot in opposition to one of many champions.
Zepeda’s Meteoric Rise
One not often sees a fighter ranked #1 in all 4 sanctioning our bodies, however Zepeda has achieved that in a short while.
Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs) has quickly moved up the rankings to 135 within the final two years, defeating Maxi Hughes, Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz, Mercito Gesta and Rene Alvarado. In Zepeda, walked down the artful boxer Hughes, stopping him in 4 rounds final March.
William Zepeda’s Rankings
- IBF #1
- WBA #1
- WBC #1
- WBO #1
Hughes was coming off a twelve-round majority choice defeat in opposition to former unified light-weight champion George Kambosos Jr. in a battle many individuals felt he gained final yr in July.
Zepeda made it look simple, chopping off the ring on the sharpshooter Hughes, pounding him to the top and physique till he was pulled out within the fourth.
The 28-year-old Golden Boy-promoted Zepeda is now ranked the place champions at light-weight, and ideally can’t keep away from him, he’ll get a crack at one of many belts quickly.
The Cabrera Problem
Subsequent month, Zepeda faces Giovanni Cabrera (22-1, 7 KOs) in a twelve-round headliner reside on DAZN on the Toyota Area in Ontario, California. Will probably be fascinating to see if the pure boxer Cabrera can hold Zepeda off of him to outlive for 12 rounds or presumably win.
Final yr, Cabrera misplaced a questionable 12-round cut up choice to Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in July 2023 in a battle many boxing followers felt ought to have gone the opposite means.
If Zepeda can do one thing that Pitbull Cruz couldn’t by dominating and knocking out Cabrera, it will sign how good he’s. Cruz is extremely revered, however Zepeda has an opportunity to point out the followers that he’s on one other stage.
Golden Boy boss Oscar De La Hoya has been calling for WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson to present Zepeda a title shot. Zepeda known as out Shakur after his latest win over Hughes, and it’s a battle that he would soar at if given the possibility.