“Zepeda never been stopped, but I think I can do it. I think I could do it,” Roach said during an interview with Brian Custer.
Roach enters the fight following consecutive draws against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz. He said those results convinced him he needs to leave less in the hands of the judges.
“We just got to step it up. We got to start punishing these guys even more and stepping on the gas in certain instances to seal the deal or even get him out of there,” Roach said.
The prediction stands out because Zepeda has built his reputation on relentless pressure, high punch output and durability. The unbeaten Mexican has never been stopped and has consistently worn opponents down over the second half of fights.
Roach, meanwhile, has typically relied on timing, movement and combination punching rather than one-punch power. His biggest wins have come through boxing skill, making his confidence about stopping Zepeda one of the more notable claims from the interview.
Despite the challenge ahead, Roach spent much of the conversation discussing potential fights beyond August 1. He mentioned possible matchups with Shakur Stevenson, Gary Antuanne Russell, Keyshawn Davis and Richardson Hitchins, while also saying he believes a victory over Zepeda would move him into pound-for-pound discussions and strengthen his Hall of Fame credentials.
Before any of those opportunities can happen, Roach must first solve one of the lightweight division’s most difficult style matchups. Zepeda’s nonstop pressure and volume have made him one of boxing’s most entertaining fighters, and Roach believes he has the answer.
“I really want to put a beating on him. Either way, whether it’s life or death, whether it’s a boxing lesson, or whether I knock him out in the first round, I’m getting my hand raised,” Roach said.
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