Oscar De La Hoya Predicts Smarter William Zepeda Against Lamont Roach

The Golden Boy promoter says lessons from Zepeda’s loss to Shakur Stevenson will shape his bid for the vacant WBC lightweight title.

William Zepeda will carry valuable lessons from his defeat to Shakur Stevenson into Saturday’s vacant WBC lightweight title fight with Lamont Roach, according to Oscar De La Hoya. The Hall of Fame promoter expects a sharper pressure fighter capable of turning that experience into a championship victory.

If De La Hoya is right, Roach could have a difficult assignment. Zepeda already swarms opponents with his relentless output and willingness to keep coming forward. A more disciplined version of that style would present an even greater challenge for Roach, whose counterpunching will be tested from the opening bell.

“When he lost against Shakur Stevenson, I was so proud of how he fought. It has to be the toughest fight Shakur ever had. He was getting hit. Shakur figured him out and won the fight because he’s a master boxer. But William Zepeda did incredibly well against a master performer like Shakur. I’m looking for Zepeda to be stronger, faster, and more pressure, but wiser,” De La Hoya said to Ariel Helwani.

Stevenson repeatedly disrupted Zepeda’s rhythm with his footwork, timing and sharp counters, forcing him to solve problems that few previous opponents had presented. De La Hoya believes that experience will pay dividends against Roach, whose style also depends on timing and accurate punching rather than heavy volume.

Roach has the skill to capitalize if Zepeda becomes reckless. But if Zepeda can blend the aggression that carried him to a world title opportunity with the patience De La Hoya expects to see, Roach may spend much of the night trying to keep the Mexican contender from dictating the pace.

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