The crowd in William Zepeda’s corner unsheathed iPhones when the fight was over, ready to record the lightweight’s reaction upon announcement that he was the winner. The Mexican, 30, boxed 11 years professionally hoping to win a world title — ensuring Saturday with pressure, poise and volume he wouldn’t leave Virgin Hotels Las Vegas without one.
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Zepeda claimed the WBC’s vacant lightweight championship with a 118-110, 118-110, 117-111 victory over former 130-pound titlist Lamont Roach Jr. in the hotel’s theater. His measured aggression, length and angled footwork overwhelmed the shorter Washingtonian — whom fellow DMV native and NBA great Kevin Durant was supporting from a ringside seat as part of spirited and snazzy gallery — reducing him to single shots that didn’t rattle or unnerve Zepeda.
The cameras were rolling and the crowd was roaring when Zepeda (34-1, 27 knockouts) was named the unanimous winner, rebounding from his loss last July to pound-for-pound stalwart Shakur Stevenson. Zepeda joins a weight class of champions that features WBO beltholder Abdullah Mason (also an attendee Saturday night) and IBF beltholder Raymond Muratalla, who defended his title in the co-main event. Lucas Badhi and Floyd Schofield are due to fight for the vacant WBA title.
A title unification would be sensible next for “Camarón,” the babyface for the Saturday spectators, hoisted by his cornermen in celebration.
“Shakur was an exam I couldn’t pass and you know what? It was humbling.” Zepeda told DAZN’s Chris Mannix through a translator. “But we took the time, we came back stronger, worked on the weaknesses and came back and now we’re champion.”
Roach, also 30, was a seasoned challenge, settling for draws in his last two fights: at 135 pounds against former WBA champion Gervonta Davis and at 140 pounds against former WBA champion Isaac Cruz. His feel for distance and counterpunching did everything for him but win those matchups, though Zepeda overwhelemed him with his southpaw jab, crafty movement and lefts downstairs.
CompuBox counted 218 connections for Zepeda compared to 153 to Roach, who was also outlanded 62-25 to the body, zapping his wind.
“Lamont thought I was going to be that one-dimensional fighter,” Zepeda said. “We added a couple things to our repertoire, so I think that definitely made the difference.”
In the co-feature, Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs) peppered 37-year-old Brazilian challenger Robson Conceicao (21-4-1, 10 KOs) with combinations to the head and body, overwhelming him with youth. An exhaustive weight cut to the lightweight limit wore on Murtalla’s energy late and Conceiao’s stubborn savvy and grit (as the former WBC junior lightweight champion) stayed with him until the final bell.
Promoted by Top Rank, Muratalla, 29 of Fontana, California, announced a move to 140 pounds, where Stevenson is reigning supreme. Stevenson wrangled the WBO title away from Teofimo Lopez — who was in attendance ahead of his Aug. 22 bout with WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero at T-Mobile Arena — and would make a compelling matchup with Muratalla, who won his lightweight title in January at Fontainebleau Las Vegas vs. Andy Cruz.
Gary Antuanne Russell has the WBA junior welterweight title and Dalton Smith has the WBC crown. Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov are due to battle for the IBF’s vacant 140-pound title. With layered offense, clever defense and seasoning now at the championship level, Muratalla is a worthy foe for either champion or the soon-to-be champ after he vacates his title.
“Not my best (performance) to be honest with you,” Muratalla told Mannix in the ring. “It was trouble making weight. You know what I mean? … I think I’ll feel a lot better and a lot stronger at 140.”
On the undercard: Junior middleweight Charles Conwell (22-1, 17 KOs) ended a 16-month layoff with a ninth-round stoppage of Paul Kroll (12-1-2). Raul Curiel (18-0-1, 14 KOs) stayed unbeaten at welterweight with a 100-90, 97-93, 95-95 decision over Quinton Randall (17-4-1).
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
