William Zepeda, boasting an immaculate record of 32 wins with 27 knockouts, has a lot riding on his upcoming match against Tevin Farmer, who stands at 33 wins, 7 losses, and a draw, with 8 of those victories by knockout. For Zepeda, the stakes are high as he steps into the ring to defend his WBC interim lightweight title this Saturday, March 29th. Broadcasting live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on DAZN from Poliforum Benito Juárez in Cancún, Mexico, the fight is more than just a title defense. It’s a chance for Zepeda to silence critics and prove he’s not merely a product of hype.
The last encounter between these two fighters didn’t go as planned for Zepeda. Many believed he was destined to easily defeat the seasoned Farmer, a former IBF super featherweight champion, back in November 16th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the outcome was a controversial split decision victory after ten rounds, leaving some to debate whether Zepeda truly deserved the win.
It’s clear that Golden Boy Promotions, entrusted with Zepeda’s career, was less than thrilled with the fallout from the fight. Their solution? Arrange a rematch to extinguish any doubts about their fighter’s credibility. This bout isn’t just about redemption; it’s about re-establishing Zepeda’s once-unquestioned reputation. But should he falter again, the whispers about him being a mere illusion could grow louder.
Meanwhile, Farmer sees this as his opportunity to play the role of the underdog and the predator. He’s stepping into the ring with a mission: to dethrone Zepeda, snag his WBC interim lightweight crown, and pave his way to challenge Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title. Unlike Zepeda, who has shown hesitance, Farmer seems hungry for the challenge and the potential upset over Stevenson.
In their previous clash, Farmer managed to pinpoint Zepeda’s vulnerabilities, connecting with headshots and exploiting his defensive lapses. With just a few short months since their last encounter, it’s debatable whether Zepeda has had enough time to shore up those weaknesses.
Reflecting on his journey, Farmer mused, “People tend to forget my path to a world title started in Australia. I’ve always been the underdog, stepping into hostile territories and emerging as the wolf eager to snatch what’s not nailed down.”
As the fight night approaches, all eyes will be on whether Zepeda can live up to his potential and whether Farmer can once again demonstrate why he’s a force to reckon with, despite the odds.
