William Zepeda and Lamont Roach are set to clash as they challenge for the vacant WBC lightweight world title this weekend.
Zepeda and Roach should produce an all-action fight for as long as it lasts.
‘Camaron’ fought for the WBC belt in his last outing when he took on Shakur Stevenson in Queens, New York, last July.
Stevenson outclassed the Mexican over 12 rounds, with the three judges’ scorecards reading 118-108, 118-110 and 119-109.
Over a year later, Zepeda will look to turn the tide after suffering his first career defeat last time out.
Prior to that sole loss, the Mexican had built an impressive record of 33 wins and no defeats. He beat some of the sport’s most recognisable names, including Maxi Hughes and Giovanni Cabrera, whom he stopped in the fourth and third rounds respectively.
Following those victories, the 30-year-old took on Tevin Farmer in what was a very difficult fight to score. He got the nod in November 2024, claiming the interim lightweight crown on the night.
Just four months later, the pair ran it back in another action-packed contest, which Zepeda edged once again, this time via majority decision.
Zepeda will face a tough challenge in Lamont Roach as he attempts to claim the vacant WBC world title on Saturday.
‘The Reaper’ has suffered just one career defeat, which came against Jamel Herring in 2019 via unanimous decision. Roach has not lost since.
He recorded three stoppages during a six-fight winning streak before that run was halted last March, although this time it came through a draw rather than a defeat.
View this post on Instagram
He was extremely unfortunate not to become the first man to defeat Gervonta Davis, with the three judges’ scorecards reading 114-114, 115-113 and 115-111.
Remarkably, in his most recent outing, he was held to a majority draw against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz over 12 rounds as he attempted to claim the interim WBC super-lightweight title.
Neither man is taking a step down after being denied victory in their most recent outings, and this should prove to be an epic fight.
Prediction: Lamont Roach to edge a close points decision.
Raymond Muratalla vs Robson Conceição
Newly crowned IBF lightweight world champion Muratalla puts his belt on the line for the first time after winning the title in January.
He defeated Andy Cruz, who remarkably challenged for a world title in just his seventh professional outing, to extend his record to 24-0, with 17 victories coming by way of stoppage.
The win over Cruz came via majority decision, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-110, 114-114 and 116-112.
He takes on former world champion Robson Conceição, who has fought some of the best fighters around the lightweight division, including O’Shaquie Foster twice, Emanuel Navarrete and Shakur Stevenson.
His most recent defeat came against Foster in their rematch via split decision, with the scorecards reading 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115.
Prediction: Muratalla to win a close, hard-fought points decision.
Remaining Undercard
Unbeaten Raul Curiel should stop Quinton Randall to claim the North American Boxing Federation welterweight title, while Charles Conwell will likely hand Paul Kroll the first defeat of his professional career.
Twenty-three-year-old Fabian Guzman should stop Aaron Coley, while the same result can be expected when Joel Iriarte faces Jorge Lagunas.
View this post on Instagram
Gael Cabrera should move to 12-0 with a victory over Francisco Pedroza Portillo.
Both Dalis Kaleiopu and Dylan Capetillo should cruise to routine victories.
