THE path to a world title shot seemed a simple one for William Zepeda, just a few months ago but the Mexican has since taken an unconventional detour. Still, the 28-year-old will be expectant of a challenge for world honours later this year and he has now mapped out a fresh route to potential success.
After risking his position as WBC mandatory challenger against Giovanni Cabrera last July, and scoring a statement third-round knockout win, a meeting between Zepeda, 32-0 (27 KOs), and reigning champion Shakur Stevenson, 22-0 (10 KOs), seemed almost guaranteed to take place before the end of 2024.
However, Zepeda decided that he needed additional preparation ahead of a clash with his fellow undefeated southpaw and opted to take on former super-featherweight champion, Tevin Farmer, 33-6-1 (8 KOs), whilst Stevenson signed to face a former super-featherweight champion of his own in Joe Cordina.
Stevenson-Cordina was later cancelled after the champion suffered a hand injury, although Zepeda-Farmer went ahead and almost proved costly.
Being overlooked by almost everyone during the build-up, 34-year-old Farmer showed plenty of fight and lost a razor-tight split-decision to ‘Camaron’, with many viewers believing he had done enough to earn the upset victory.
Whilst Farmer and co. demanded a rematch, fans advised Zepeda to steer clear and wait for Stevenson, but the WBC champion has since moved on and agreed to fight Floyd Schofield next – with Zepeda ruled out for that February 22 date due to injuries suffered against Farmer.
In his Fight Freaks Unite newsletter, Dan Rafael has now reported that talks are underway for a rematch between Farmer and Zepeda in late March, as the latter seeks to deliver a more authoritative display to silence his doubters ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Stevenson.
“Plans are in the works for WBC interim lightweight titlist William Zepeda to face Tevin Farmer in an immediate rematch of their entertaining and close fight that took place on Nov. 16 on the “Latino Night” card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to Golden Boy.
“If Zepeda-Farmer II is finalized, Golden Boy said it is targeting March 29 (DAZN) in Cancun, Mexico.”
Should Stevenson and Zepeda both come through their outings unscathed, it can be assumed that the pair will collide in the summer, for what would be a fifth all-southpaw battle in six contests for the now well-prepared Zepeda.
