Reports indicate that Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda have verbally agreed to a fight scheduled for October 12th on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol light heavyweight unification bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This would be a significant addition to the Beterbiev-Bivol undercard, showcasing the talents of both Stevenson and Zepeda. Promoter His Excellency Turki Alalshikh continues to put together impressive events.
Shakur, with a record of 22-0 and 10 KOs, would defend his WBC lightweight title against challenger Zepeda, who boasts a record of 31-0 with 27 KOs. While Stevenson has been vocal about wanting to fight Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, facing Zepeda is also a highly anticipated matchup for him.
Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, initially exhibited reservation about the fight but negotiations began following the WBC’s order for the two boxers to start discussions.
According to trainer Jay ‘Panda’ Najar, talks have started for a potential William Zepeda vs. Shakur Stevenson bout for the WBC Lightweight title. Zepeda is prepared for a fight in late November or December,” as reported by Salvador Rodriguez on X.
De La Hoya may have initially expressed reluctance, but the Zepeda vs. Stevenson matchup presents a significant opportunity for Zepeda. Passing on this fight could mean a prolonged wait for another chance at a world title.
Sportswriters Lance Pugmire and Salvador Rodriguez have confirmed the progress of negotiations for the Shakur-Zepeda bout. This bout presents a challenge for Shakur, especially considering his lack of knockout power and recent struggles in the 135-pound division.
Zepeda’s aggressive fighting style could pose problems for Stevenson, who may struggle to keep up with Zepeda’s pressure and body targeting tactics over a twelve-round fight.
