Jose Zepeda: ‘If The KO Comes, It Comes’ / Flanagan vs Zepeda

By Olly Campbell - 07/09/2015 - Comments

Big punching American knock-out artist Jose Zepeda comes to Manchester on Saturday night in an attempt to win the vacant WBO lightweight strap when he fights hometown hero Terry Flanagan – who will be seeking to emulate fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton’s historic world title win against Kostya Tzsyu in the City, almost exactly 10 years to the day.

It’s sure to be a bear-pit atmosphere for the undefeated American, who boasts 20 KO wins in 23 contests, yet ahead of the fight, he spoke to iFLtv to insist he is more than ready to step up to the plate, and believes it will be he, and not Flanagan, who walks out with the title.

He said of his preparations;

“I’m feeling great, we had a tremendous camp, we’re ready for this fight, I know Terry Flanagan’s gonna be ready and I hope the fans love the fight. I think they will.”

Obviously, carrying such heavy hands, there is a focus on Zepeda’s power, yet it is worth noting this will be his first trip down at 135 lbs, having been up at 140 and 147 for most of his career. Will the power still be there if he’s dead at the weight? It is surely a pertinent question, yet Zepeda doesn’t believe focusing on the power is necessarily the right thing to do, insisting things flow naturally;

“I have never looked for the knockout in any of my fights, the knockout comes by itself. My main point is to win the fight round by round, and if the knockout comes by itself it does, if it doesn’t then I’m ready for Flanagan’s style and a full 12 rounds.”

“I’ve seen a little of him. A couple of rounds. He’s a good boxer, he’s 27-0 for a reason, so I’m looking for a good fight, looking forward to a good fight.”

Flanagan vs Zepeda is live on Boxnation in the UK.

Twitter @Undilutedpoison

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MANCHESTER VELODROME RUNNING ORDER

Doors Open: 17:30

Fight # 1 – 17:40 hrs

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Bantamweight Contest

KALLUM DE’ATH vs. ELEMIR RAFAEL

Fight # 2

8 X 3 Minute International Rounds Light-Welterweight Contest

STEVEN LEWIS vs. JABA SHALUTASHVILI

Fight # 3

6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Lightweight Contest

JOE COSTELLO vs. KRZYSTOF SZOT

Fight # 4

10 X 3 Minute Rounds International Heavyweight Contest

ALEXANDER USTINOV vs. TRAVIS WALKER

Fight # 5

8 X 3 Minute Rounds Lightweight Contest

TOM STALKER vs. TOMMY CARUS

Fight # 6 – 20:50 hrs

THE WBO INTERCONTINENTAL LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

10 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 140 lbs

JACK CATTERALL vs. GABRIEL CALFIN

Fight # 7 – 21:40 hrs

10 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Flyweight Contest

PAUL BUTLER vs. GUSTAVO MOLINA

Fight # 8 – 22:30 hrs

THE VACANT WBO WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

12 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 135 lbs

TERRY FLANAGAN vs. JOSE ZEPEDA

Fight # 9 – Follow On

THE VACANT WBO INTERCONTINENTAL LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

12 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 135 lbs

LIAM WALSH vs. ISAIAS SANTOS SAMPAIO

Fight # 10 – Follow On

8 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Featherweight Contest

ADRIAN GONZALEZ vs. GUYULLA TALLOSI

FLOATER

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Middleweight Contest

MaCAULEY McGOWAN vs. DANNY LYTTLE

FLOATER

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest

JOHN KAYS vs. MICHAEL STUPART