A few years after vying for the top spot in the 135-pound division, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is set to face undefeated challenger William Zepeda this Saturday. The fight, serving as the co-main event for Turki Alalshikh’s “Ring III” card, will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, marking Stevenson’s first bout at this famous tennis venue, which hosts the annual US Open. The event will be available on DAZN PPV starting at 6 PM ET.
Despite Stevenson’s impressive record of 23-0 with 11 KOs and his three-division championships, as well as a silver medal from the 2016 Olympics, his career faced turbulence in the past two years due to a change in promoters—from Top Rank to Matchroom Sports—and mixed reactions from fans and critics. Some believe the criticism towards Stevenson has been harsh and sometimes self-inflicted, especially regarding his tactical style that leans toward offense without heavy hitting.
Stevenson, 28, from Newark, New Jersey, is eager to use this fight against 29-year-old Zepeda, who boasts a perfect 33-0 record with 27 knockouts, to reaffirm his dominance. “Many doubters and critics are against me, and I’m ready to prove them wrong,” Stevenson told CBS Sports. “People have forgotten who I am, but I’m here to remind them.”
The clash will be an intriguing showdown of styles between the two undefeated southpaws. Zepeda is known for his aggressive volume punching, averaging 93.9 punches per round, the highest in boxing, while Stevenson is a precise counterpuncher with the best plus/minus rating (+21.1) in the sport. Stevenson explained that Zepeda aims to win by sheer volume to sway judges, citing a fight where Zepeda’s aggression won rounds despite arguably being outmatched technically.
Zepeda responded confidently in a recent workout, emphasizing his high punch output and pressure as the key to overcoming Stevenson’s speed and movement. Meanwhile, Stevenson is close to finalizing multiple agreements with Alalshikh, a powerful Saudi Arabian sports advisor. A victory could pave the way for major opportunities, including a potential unification bout against superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
The main event will feature a super middleweight contest between Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz, with a title shot on the line. Berlanga, who fought Canelo Alvarez last year, is determined to assert his dominance in his hometown of New York City.
Fight card highlights and odds:
– Hamzah Sheeraz -140 vs. Edgar Berlanga +120 (Super Middleweight)
– Shakur Stevenson (C) -1100 vs. William Zepeda +650 (WBC Lightweight Title)
– Alberto Puello (C) -115 vs. Sabrielle Matthias -105 (WBC Junior Welterweight Title)
– David Morrell -600 vs. Imam Khataev +380 (Light Heavyweight)
The fight is scheduled for July 11 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Queens, New York, starting at 6 PM ET, available via DAZN PPV for $59.99.
Prediction:
Despite Zepeda’s hard-hitting style, Stevenson is favored at 12-1, thanks to his superior skills, speed, and footwork. Stevenson’s ability to counterpunch and evade attacks should allow him to outclass Zepeda, who may struggle to maintain his volume without getting caught. Stevenson’s key challenge will be managing any physical setbacks to avoid unnecessary risks. Expect Stevenson to strategically dismantle Zepeda, aiming for a TKO victory by the 10th round.
Fan Take:
This bout is significant for fight fans as it highlights a pivotal moment for Stevenson to solidify his status as one of boxing’s elite. A win here could reshape the lightweight division’s landscape and set up high-stakes unification fights that fans have eagerly anticipated.
