William Zepeda indicated last Saturday that he is exploring his options for his next fight and it may not be against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Following his victory over Tevin Farmer, Zepeda mentioned that he is being considered by champions like Gervonta Davis.
(Credit: Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda)
Zepeda Interested in Facing Gervonta Davis
Gervonta Davis, also known as Tank, is a desired opponent for every fighter in the 135 division. He is considered the division’s top fighter and the face of boxing in North America.
“I’m prepared for whatever comes my way. Many champions are interested in facing me. The potential fight with Shakur could be next. I am open to facing any opponent,” said William Zepeda regarding his options for his next fight.
Even though Zepeda solved the puzzle of defeating Farmer, fighting Stevenson may not be worthwhile as he lacks popularity. Additionally, Stevenson tends to go the distance in his fights, focused on avoiding taking too many punches. In contrast, Zepeda used an aggressive approach to overwhelm Farmer with his high-volume attack.
Zepeda’s statement about several champions wanting to fight him suggests that Stevenson is not a priority for him. Despite holding the WBC belt, Stevenson’s reputation suffered after a lackluster win over Edwin De Los Santos last year. His career has been under scrutiny since then.
While there have been discussions about Zepeda potentially facing Stevenson on February 22nd, his impressive victory over Farmer has opened up more opportunities to face other popular champions in the division.
Financially, Gervonta Davis is a Better Option
WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis presents a more lucrative opportunity for Zepeda, especially after his upcoming title defense against Lamont Roach. Davis will need a strong opponent to generate pay-per-view buys, and Zepeda fits that bill. Given his Mexican heritage, a fight between him and Davis could attract a significant audience. The financial rewards of fighting Davis are likely greater than facing Stevenson, who lacks a widespread fanbase beyond his hometown.
A bout with Davis would offer more excitement for fans compared to Stevenson. Davis is an aggressive fighter and would not allow Zepeda to maintain his high punch output, as seen in his bout against Farmer in Saudi Arabia.
Tevin Farmer Expresses Disappointment
Reflecting on Zepeda’s performance, Tevin Farmer expressed his disappointment and speculated about Zepeda’s future challenges.
“He was impressive. I understand why he was able to defeat his previous opponents, who were of lower quality. He definitely has the skills to handle those opponents,” remarked Tevin Farmer in an interview with Boxing King Media.
Farmer highlighted the importance of facing tougher opponents as a fighter progresses and questioned how Zepeda would fare against elite competition. He named several top fighters whom he believes Zepeda could defeat.
“I am interested to see how he performs against higher-caliber opponents. I am not seeking a rematch because I know that won’t happen. Golden Boy is not likely to make that fight. Many believed I won our bout, but I am not dwelling on it,” Farmer added.
