Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, is eyeing a potential matchup against the undefeated William Zepeda after witnessing his dominant performance against Maxi Hughes. Zepeda’s callout after obliterating Hughes in an IBF/WBA title eliminator has caught Stevenson’s attention. However, Stevenson remains skeptical about Zepeda’s talent due to the lack of significant opponents on his resume. Despite his impressive record, Zepeda showed vulnerabilities against Hughes, raising doubts about his abilities at the elite level.
Expressing his interest in facing Zepeda next, Stevenson acknowledged the potential challenge that the unbeaten phenom poses. Zepeda’s aggressive style and power-packed punches could present a significant threat to Stevenson, who faced difficulties against skilled counter-punchers in the past. While Zepeda is not the mandatory challenger for Stevenson’s WBC title, the matchup appeals to Stevenson as a quick path to a world title opportunity. Stevenson’s willingness to take on tough opponents reflects his fearless attitude towards the sport.
With Stevenson’s promoter Bob Arum showing interest in arranging the fight for July 6th, the stage is set for a showdown between Stevenson and Zepeda at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The potential clash between these two rising stars promises to attract considerable attention from boxing enthusiasts. The winner of the Stevenson-Zepeda bout will position themselves for a potential unification fight against the victor of the Vasily Lomachenko-George Kambosos Jr. contest, further raising the stakes for both fighters.
Shakur Stevenson’s readiness to take on William Zepeda showcases his determination to face formidable challenges in the ring. While doubts linger about Zepeda’s true caliber as a boxer, Stevenson’s confidence in his abilities suggests an intriguing matchup ahead. As the boxing world awaits the highly anticipated showdown between Stevenson and Zepeda, the potential implications of this fight on the lightweight division cannot be overlooked.