ONTARIO, CA — Rising lightweight boxer William Zepeda and his promoter Oscar de la Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions are targeting fights against the likes of Denis Berinchyk, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Fresh off his destructive, third-round knockout win over Giovanni Cabrera at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, comparisons were instantly drawn to Zepeda’s compatriot Cruz, who could only eke a split decision win over Cabrera when they fought last year.
Zepeda, in contrast to Cruz, punished Cabrera to the body. He hit him so hard that Cabrera said he just physically couldn’t get back to his feet in time to beat the count.
The 28-year-old Zepeda, though, wants all comparisons to stop — for now. “I can’t compare myself to other fighters, that’s not my job,” he told World Boxing News and other reporters Saturday.
“Pitbull can’t say that he’s better than me. I can’t say I’m better than Pitbull. The only way we can determine that is when we’re in the ring in the middle, facing each other.”
Another fighter Zepeda appears to be targeting is the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fighter Lomachenko. “We know that styles make fights,” Zepeda said of such a match-up.
“We know that my style is an aggressive style. He’s known to be an idol, and it’s a dream of mine to get in the ring and fight an idol [because] I want to become an idol myself. Those are the types of fights I want.”
Finally, he told WBN and other reporters: “I’ve fought some great opposition, and I feel I’m on the top of the division. We’re going to look for the opportunity to become world champion.”
That opportunity to become a world champion will likely come through the WBO route, where Zepeda is ranked behind only the champion of that organization — Berinchyk.
“I think that’s a great fight and a fan-friendly fight which will take Zepeda to the next level,” De La Hoya told World Boxing News and other reporters. “And then we go after the unifications,” he said. “I would love Zepeda to be world champion when he faces Shakur Stevenson.”
The promoter continued: “Imagine Zepeda against Pitbull! Whoever! He’s the number one contender in every organization.
“I literally think Willam Zepeda is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today, especially at 135. We have a future superstar on our hands.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
