William Zepeda’s next fight is shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched in the lightweight division after his statement win over Lamont Roach Jr. Zepeda has convinced one of the sport’s most respected voices that he is still climbing.
Long-time journalist Mike Coppinger came away from the Roach performance calling Zepeda one of boxing’s finest current examples of the classic Mexican pressure fighter — and crediting Golden Boy’s patient, step-by-step development of the 29-year-old.
“A Mexican pressure fighter is one of our favourite archetypes in boxing, right? And that was one of the best versions I’ve seen of a Mexican pressure fighter in years.”
Mike Coppinger said on the Inside Ring Show that the road here mattered: two fights with Tevin Farmer, then his one professional loss, against Shakur Stevenson, forced Zepeda to problem-solve rather than simply out-work opponents.
What’s next for William Zepeda?
Against Roach he showed the payoff — varying his attack, digging to the body and forcing exchanges without overextending. It is a more complete William Zepeda than the pure volume-puncher of old, and it strengthens his hand at 135lbs. Bigger nights now beckon, though nothing is booked yet. On this evidence, the champion looks like a man still improving rather than levelling off.
