The WBC lightweight championship became available after Shakur Stevenson moved to 140 pounds to defeat Teofimo Lopez on January 31, 2026. While the WBC has ordered Roach and Zepeda to contest the belt, the sanctioning body issued a critical ruling on April 3: the winner must make their first defense against Jadier Herrera.
Herrera (18-0, 16 KOs) captured the WBC interim lightweight title with an eighth-round knockout of Ricardo Núñez on January 10. This legal obligation complicates any immediate unification plans Roach may have for late 2026.
Roach continues to prioritize a high-payout clash with Shakur Stevenson, though the matchup would no longer be a lightweight unification.
“Shakur Stevenson is one of the best fighters in the world. I’d love to get in the ring with Shakur. That would be one of the best fights in boxing,” Roach said to Fighthype.
Following his January victory over Lopez, Stevenson is the reigning WBO junior welterweight champion. A fight with Roach would require “The Reaper” to move up in weight or Stevenson to abandon his 140-pound titles.
Roach also identified WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason as a person of interest.
“I like all the champions at 135. I like Abdul Mason. He’s a tremendous young champion. I think he beats Joe Cordina, and we can see how that works,” said Roach.
Mason (20-0) is currently preparing for his own first title defense against former champion Joe Cordina, scheduled for July 4 in Cleveland. This timeline further narrows the window for a potential unification should Roach get past Zepeda.
Perhaps the most curious name on Roach’s list is Subriel Matias. While Roach noted that “Matias is a good fighter too,” the Puerto Rican is currently without a title. Matias suffered a major setback on January 10, 2026, when he was stopped in five rounds by Dalton Smith at the Barclays Center.
Notably, Roach has not mentioned the current WBA 140-lb champion, Gary Antuanne Russell. Russell successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision victory over Andy Hiraoka on February 21, representing a significantly more dangerous, but title-laden, path at junior welterweight.
Despite the looming fight against William Zepeda, who remains a statistical leader in punch volume, Roach made it clear he expects to secure the green-and-gold belt.
“That’s not just a rumor. It’s been officially mandated by the WBC, and we’re going to fight for the vacant title,” said Roach. I’m going to come out victorious. I’m just blessed to be in the position that I am. I get to showcase my skills again, and we’ll come out victorious, be champ, and put us where we’re supposed to be. One step closer to the changing of the guard.”
Roach has not recorded a win since 2024, but his stock remains high after consecutive majority draws against Gervonta Davis in March 2025 and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in December 2025.
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