Queens, New York – As the spotlight zeroes in on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, unbeaten challenger William Zepeda (33–0, 27 KOs) is radiating confidence and purpose. The tough-talking Mexican southpaw, known for his relentless power, dropped a bold bombshell at last weeks press conference, saying, “he doesn’t want to leave anything to the judges.” That sentiment perfectly encapsulates Zepeda’s fight night blueprint. A shootout, not a chess match. Zepeda didn’t mince words when outlining his vision for the fight, delivering a fiery pledge to fans. As he told Ring Magazine, “I’m coming to make a war. I don’t care about getting knocked out… I wanna give my fans what they wanna see.” He compared his approach to Stevenson’s cautious performance against Edwin De Los Santos in November 2023. A fight Zepeda described as technically proficient yet lackluster for viewers. He promises to shatter that boredom with aggression and showmanship.
Shakur Stevenson (23–0, 11 KOs) brings star power and boxing IQ to the ring. The Newark native is a slick southpaw and three‑division titlist, but he hasn’t landed a knockout since April 2023’s TKO of Shuichiro Yoshino. Against De Los Santos and Artem Harutyunyan, he opted for tactical dominance over drama. And that’s just what Zepeda plans to change. In interviews, Zepeda reiterated his intention to force a finish: “It’s simple, I don’t want to leave anything to the judges.” He’s making it clear: this isn’t about technical decisions or point afterthoughts. If the fight touches the scorecards, he’ll consider it a missed opportunity.
Keys to the Fight
For Zepeda, he needs to cut off the ring, maintain pressure, and land heavy bombs. He believes Stevenson’s low punch output left fans wanting in previous fights. As for Stevenson, he should keep the fight at range and manage distance with his jab and footwork. His adaptability across styles gives him options, but his last few performances have lacked fireworks.
With both fighters walking in undefeated and hungry, this match promises tension, drama, and undeniable stakes. Will Zepeda succeed in forcing a conclusion? Or will Stevenson’s slick defense turn potential knockout moments into strategic puzzle pieces? Mark your calendars, this one won’t be left in the hands of judges.
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