William Zepeda Edges Tevin Farmer in Thrilling Rematch – What’s Next for the Undefeated Lightweight Contender?

William Zepeda took another step toward a WBC lightweight title shot against Shakur Stevenson, defeating Tevin Farmer by majority decision on Saturday in Cancun, Mexico. While one judge scored the 135-pound contest a 114-114 draw, the other two favored Zepeda, with scores of 116-112 and 115-113.

This victory marks Zepeda’s second win over Farmer, following their first meeting in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That bout was scheduled for 10 rounds, but this time, they went the full 12 rounds in Zepeda’s home country.

A War of Numbers: Breaking Down the CompuBox Punch Stats

The statistics tell the story of Zepeda’s high-pressure offense and Farmer’s defensive resilience:

Zepeda’s Relentless Pressure Almost Stops Farmer in Round 5

From the opening bell, Zepeda set the pace with his southpaw jab, unrelenting pressure, and a brutal body attack. By Round 5, he was close to securing a stoppage victory, unleashing a barrage of unanswered body punches that had Farmer on the ropes.

The referee seemed ready to intervene, but just when it looked like the fight would be stopped, Farmer found a way to survive. He landed a few sharp uppercuts, signaling he was still in the fight.

Farmer Fights Back—But Was It Too Late?

Despite sustaining an apparent left-hand injury in Round 1, Farmer showed resilience. He had his best moment in Round 6, where he landed repeated left uppercuts that snapped Zepeda’s head back.

The former 130-pound champion continued his rally in the later rounds, finding openings and utilizing his ring IQ to navigate Zepeda’s forward pressure. However, the early rounds had already built an insurmountable lead for Zepeda on the scorecards.

A Bitter Pill for Farmers—Frustration with Boxing Judges

After the fight, an emotional Farmer made it clear that he was fed up with the sport’s scoring system.

“Nothing against Zepeda, he’s a fighter… He don’t make the scorecards. He’s probably one of the toughest fighters in the division because of his output. If you can’t keep up with his output and you can’t hurt him back, he will pressure you.”

The 34-year-old Philadelphia fighter didn’t hold back on his frustrations, expressing doubt about his future in the sport.

“I have respect for the fighter, I have no respect for boxing… I dominated all the last rounds. The first seven were a little rocky… I can’t keep going into camp, not getting the decision, and getting robbed.”

This marks Farmer’s third consecutive loss, following defeats to Raymond Muratalla in July and his first meeting with Zepeda. However, his back-to-back gritty performances against one of the division’s best may have boosted his stock, even in defeat.

What’s Next for Zepeda? A Title Shot on the Horizon

With this victory, Zepeda (32-0, 27 KOs) remains ESPN’s No. 2 lightweight, trailing only Shakur Stevenson.

As the WBC’s mandatory challenger, Zepeda is now positioned for his first world title shot later this year. A clash against Shakur Stevenson, one of the most technically gifted fighters in boxing today, could be the defining moment of Zepeda’s career.

The Road Ahead: Can Zepeda Conquer Stevenson?

Shakur Stevenson, the current WBC lightweight champion, is known for his defensive mastery and elite counterpunching. A potential Zepeda vs. Stevenson showdown would be a classic clash of pressure vs. precision.

Will Zepeda’s relentless style be enough to break through Stevenson’s slick defense? Or will the American champion prove to be too elusive for the Mexican slugger?

Final Thoughts—A Statement Win, But More Work to Do

While Zepeda’s win solidified his place among the lightweight elite, the fight revealed some areas for improvement. He was dominant early, but Farmer exposed defensive vulnerabilities in the later rounds.

If Zepeda hopes to become a world champion, he’ll need to refine his approach against higher-caliber opponents. But one thing is certain: the lightweight division just got a whole lot more exciting.

The Zepeda vs. Stevenson Showdown: A Defining Fight for the Lightweight Division

With William Zepeda securing a hard-fought victory over Tevin Farmer, all eyes are now on his potential WBC lightweight title fight against Shakur Stevenson. This clash represents more than just a championship bout—it’s a defining moment for both fighters and could determine the future of the 135-pound division.

Zepeda’s Relentless Pressure vs. Stevenson’s Slick Defense

If this fight gets made, it will be a fascinating clash of styles. Zepeda thrives on relentless volume punching, aggressive pressure, and an iron chin. He overwhelms opponents with an absurd work rate, as seen in his performance against Farmer, where he threw nearly 1,000 punches in 12 rounds.

On the other side, Shakur Stevenson is widely regarded as one of the most defensively gifted fighters in the sport today. He’s a master of distance control, counterpunching, and slipping punches, making him an incredibly tough puzzle to solve. His ability to make elite fighters miss—while landing clean, accurate shots—has drawn comparisons to greats like Floyd Mayweather.

The question is: Can Zepeda’s pressure break through Stevenson’s technical mastery? Or will the American champion pick him apart, frustrating him into mistakes?

Zepeda’s Key to Victory: Breaking Stevenson’s Rhythm

If Zepeda wants to win, he must do what no other fighter has done: force Stevenson into a firefight. Unlike Farmer, who spent much of their fight on the back foot, Stevenson will not be an easy target. Zepeda will need to cut off the ring effectively, trap Stevenson in uncomfortable positions, and make the fight an ugly, high-paced battle.

One potential weakness in Stevenson’s style is his lack of knockout power at lightweight. While his precision and speed are exceptional, he does not possess one-punch, fight-ending power. If Zepeda can absorb Stevenson’s counters and keep marching forward, he may be able to wear him down over the course of 12 rounds.

Stevenson’s Strategy: A Masterclass in Control

On the other hand, Stevenson’s game plan will be clear—use his footwork, counterpunching, and defensive genius to nullify Zepeda’s aggression. He will likely try to set traps, frustrate Zepeda with sharp jabs, and make him pay for reckless pressure.

Stevenson has already beaten elite pressure fighters like Óscar Valdez and Jeremiah Nakathila, making him the favorite in a tactical sense. But Zepeda’s volume and fearlessness bring an X-factor that could make this fight unpredictable.

Will the Fight Happen? The Clock is Ticking

While the WBC has mandated Zepeda as the next challenger, boxing politics could delay or complicate the fight. Stevenson has flirted with the idea of moving up to 140 pounds, and if a more lucrative fight presents itself, he may bypass the Zepeda showdown altogether.

However, if the fight does happen, it will be a must-watch event that could shake up the entire lightweight division. Two contrasting styles. Two hungry warriors. One championship on the line.