Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has been banging the drum for his fighter William Zepeda to get a world title shot towards one of many light-weight world champions following his third-round knockout win over Giovanni Cabrera final Saturday night time.
De La Hoya hasn’t been as direct as he must be by pinpointing the champion at 135 that he desires for Zepeda, however he solely has one legitimate possibility: Shakur Stevenson.
For Zepeda to get a world title shot, he wants one of many 4 sanctioning our bodies to order it, which none have executed.
The Light-weight Panorama
- Gervonta Davis: Busy combating Lomachenko subsequent.
- Vasily Lomachenko: Unavailable
- Denys Berinchyk: Combating Mark Chamberlin subsequent, then Keyshawn Davis.
- Shakur Stevenson: Free and most viable possibility for Zepeda
Rated #1 by all 4 sanctioning our bodies at 135, Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) is essentially the most deserving of a world title shot in his subsequent struggle.
Shakur Stevenson: The Golden Ticket
Solely one of many world champions at 135 is presently free: WBC belt-holder Shakur Stevenson. That’s the golden ticket De La Hoya must push to get a world title shot for Zepeda.
Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) will not be thinking about combating Zepeda, and that’s comprehensible on many ranges. Zepeda’s nonstop stress model and give attention to focusing on the physique are unhealthy for Shakur, who makes a speciality of making fighters miss with headshots however is susceptible to the physique.
Shakur desires profitable unification matches towards WBA light-weight champion Tank Davis and IBF champion Lomachenko. These fights pays and enhance Shakur’s reputation within the sport, transferring him nearer to turning into a PPV attraction.
If the World Boxing Council orders Shakur to defend his WBC belt towards Zepeda subsequent, he’ll be compelled to take that struggle, so long as he doesn’t have the choice to squirm out of his obligation by combating a unification towards one of many different belt-holders at 135.
Final Up to date on 07/09/2024
