William Zepeda’s volume punching drowned Roach in a WBC title fight on Saturday night, August 1, in Las Vegas.
Zepeda didn’t lose control of the bout for all 12 rounds, outpacing Lamont Roach Jr. to claim the WBC lightweight title bout on points at The Theater at Virgin in Las Vegas.
Roach was unable to slow down relentless punching by Zepeda, who kept his foot on the pedal that ultimately left the former succumbing to the pressure.
Zepeda threw 218 punches of his total 884, while struggling Roach landed only 153 of 591.
Zepeda, humming with triumph in a post-bout interview, said, “Against Shakur, it was an exam I couldn’t pass.
“And you know what? It was humbling. But we took time, we came stronger and worked on the weaknesses and came back, and now we’re champion.”
When Zepeda was asked who he wants to go head-on next, the determined WBC title holder said, “I don’t care who it is or when it is, put him in front of me and I’m going to beat him.”
Zepeda won on all three scorecards by 117-111, 117 and 118-110 (34-1, 27 KOs).
It was Zepeda’s first major world title with a career-best performance after he lost his career’s first bout against Shakur Stevenson last July.
2026-08-02 12:51:00
