At first glance, the rematch between William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer seemed like it would pass without causing any ripples. But what unfolded in tonight’s DAZN showdown from Cancun, Mexico, was anything but straightforward, culminating in Zepeda securing a majority decision that’s sure to fuel discussions.
Tevin Farmer managed to endure what appeared to be an injury amidst significant early challenges, mounting an impressive rally in the fight’s back end. This resilience resulted in one even scorecard and two others that were closer than anticipated as our live coverage unfolded.
Farmer, known for his skill (33-8-1, 8 KO), initially looked sharp and focused, but misfortunes struck soon after. Partway through the second round, Zepeda (33-0, 27 KO) staggered him, the impact manifesting in Farmer’s constant fiddling with his left glove, hinting at a potential hand injury. The commentators speculated it could be an elbow injury resulting from a hit to the arm, with Farmer frequently airing his grievances to the audience between rounds.
Despite any impairments, Farmer displayed unwavering determination. In the fourth round, he delivered powerful counter-attacks against the relentless Zepeda and somehow endured a brutal onslaught against the ropes in the fifth round, even as his corner vehemently urged him to take a knee.
Without the same flexibility he had during their first meeting, and mainly using his right hand with purpose, Farmer looked like he was backed into a corner. However, the sixth round marked a turnaround, arguably becoming Farmer’s most effective segment in the bout, where he effectively held his own during crunch time. Zepeda’s inability to land impactful blows and his waning stamina worked in Farmer’s favor in the latter stages.
In the final round, Farmer landed a blow that unsettled Zepeda, leading to a moment that was ruled a slip, though it could have easily been deemed a knockdown. Subsequent replays justified the slip call and even if it had been counted as a knockdown, the decision would have merely been closer, not reversed. The official scores—114-114, 116-112, and 115-113—echoed Zepeda’s narrow victory, with 116-112 aligning with my unofficial take on the fight.
After the dust settled, mutual respect was palpable as the fighters exchanged handshakes following their post-fight interviews. Yet, Farmer, disheartened, voiced his frustration: “I have respect for the fighters, I have no respect for boxing,” expressing his resentment over the lack of favorable outcomes in recent times. When probed about the potential injury, Farmer chose to focus on his admiration for Zepeda and his disappointment with the judging.
In another intriguing bout, Oscar Collazo showcased exceptional skill, proving too much for Edwin Cano. Collazo (12-0, 9 KO) deftly wielded his sharp jab to stifle Cano’s aggression early on. Pivoting between punishing body blows and hefty right hooks, Collazo gradually wore down his opponent.
Cano (13-3-1, 4 KO), facing a challenging stylistic match-up, became increasingly overwhelmed. Despite his resolved effort, the relentless precision of Collazo’s strikes accumulated, leading to a decisive blow to the body that compelled Cano to cease in the fifth round. With this victory, Collazo retains his status as the WBA and WBO champion at 105 lbs, though he remains mum on future plans during the post-fight dialogue.
Switching gears to the bout between Joselito Velazquez and Adolfo Castillo, fans were treated to an evening peppered with more headbutts than a slapstick comedy. Despite having been absent from the ring for over two years and without a win since 2021, Castillo (12-5-2, 7 KO) brought his A-game against the favorite, Velazquez (21-1-1, 13 KO).
For Velazquez, the night was an arduous one. After suffering a gash above his eye from an initial clash of heads, he was repeatedly frustrated as Castillo continued to play the role of thorn in his side. The head clashes were recurring, overshadowing moments like Castillo gaining a penalty in the third round. Even amidst all the bumps and bruises, the fight was lively, concluding with another clash opening up a major gash courtesy of Castillo’s punch in the seventh.
The official scores—100-89, 100-89, and 97-92—don’t quite reflect the intensity and vitality of the contest, with the final score offering a truer picture of the bout’s spirited exchanges.
Meanwhile, Robin Safar continued his winning streak with an early termination of his fight against Roberto Silva. Despite knowing that a knockout was likely, Safar (18-0) managed a controlled performance following his victory over Sergey Kovalev.
Silva (13-4, 7 KO), who juggles a career as an electrician, demonstrated resilience but lacked the competitive edge required against Safar. As the fight progressed, Safar methodically wore down Silva, who remained steadfast but couldn’t pose any real threat. Mentions of a future bout with Zurdo Ramirez suggest that Safar might be on the horizon for bigger challenges under Golden Boy’s banner.
Finally, Yokasta Valle nabbed a well-deserved split decision victory against Marlen Esparza, although many speculate it should have been unanimous. Valle (33-3, 10 KO) consistently showed a slight edge over Esparza (15-3, 1 KO), whose exceptional spacing jabs occasionally interrupted Valle’s rhythm.
Though the match sparked vibrant exchanges, it wasn’t much in question by the end, despite the split decision implications. A rematch might be the most enticing option moving forward for both fighters, especially for Esparza who, being unable to make weight on three recent occasions, might face a career crossroads decision between pursuing a rematch or transitioning towards another role in the sport.
