Zepeda’s report stays 33 wins and one loss, with 27 knockouts. The Stevenson battle marked the primary defeat of his profession and ended his run as WBC interim light-weight champion. After the bout, Golden Boy mentioned it was again to the drafting board. Since then, no clear subsequent step has emerged.
The light-weight division has not made his state of affairs simpler. It’s crowded on the high and cautious slightly below it. Zepeda not carries a belt, however he’s nonetheless considered as a tough battle. That mixture typically results in inactivity, particularly for fighters making an attempt to maneuver rigorously towards titles.
The Stevenson battle did little to wreck his popularity as a strain operator. Many followers nonetheless argue it was a demanding model battle for Stevenson, even in a transparent determination loss. Zepeda pressured motion. He stored the tempo excessive. He made Stevenson keep disciplined for twelve rounds.
One second from the third spherical continues to be debated. With below thirty seconds left, Zepeda landed a proper hand whereas Stevenson was backed into the ropes. Stevenson misplaced his footing and stumbled because the ropes held him upright. The referee didn’t rule it a knockdown. Stevenson later mentioned he was off steadiness slightly than damage. He reset shortly, prevented the observe up photographs, and regained management of the spherical.
Formally, the sequence modified nothing. Unofficially, it stays a part of how the battle is remembered and a part of why Zepeda continues to be seen as a tough opponent slightly than a solved one.
Discuss round potential matchups has crammed the hole. One identify that surfaces is Sam Noakes, typically talked about as a potential opponent on a big undercard tied to a future main occasion in 2026. Nothing has been introduced, and no timetable has been confirmed.
The query round Zepeda now could be place slightly than capacity. The Stevenson battle confirmed limits, however it additionally confirmed what he can nonetheless pressure at this degree. He can preserve rounds busy. He could make elite fighters keep targeted. He doesn’t fade simply.
The priority is inactivity. Strain fighters depend on rhythm and timing. Lengthy layoffs flatten these edges. At light-weight, as soon as that pause units in, it will possibly linger until somebody decides to take the danger of going through him. That call has not arrived but.
