After winning the vacant WBC lightweight title with a unanimous decision Saturday night at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Zepeda explained that he spent the year following his loss to Shakur Stevenson reshaping parts of his style. The adjustments paid off against Roach, who struggled to establish the counterpunching rhythm that had carried him through previous title fights.
“I think he expected me to come straight forward the whole fight,” Zepeda said. “Instead I boxed smarter, managed my pace, went in and out. I showed I can do more than just throw punches.”
The Mexican southpaw still applied the relentless pressure that has defined his career, but he varied his attack with sharper footwork and better distance control. Rather than giving Roach the same looks throughout the fight, Zepeda repeatedly stepped in to work the body before moving back outside, limiting Roach’s opportunities to land his right hand cleanly.
Zepeda said those adjustments came from studying the Stevenson loss over the past year.
“We worked on many things,” he said. “We studied his videos, watched our own fights, improved our preparation, worked with a sports psychologist, and kept improving every day. The mind is the most important muscle.”
He added that the Stevenson defeat became “a great exam” for his team, giving them a full year to correct the weaknesses it exposed before returning to the ring.
Roach reached the same conclusion after the fight, admitting his camp underestimated Zepeda’s versatility.
“We thought he was a one-trick pony,” Roach said. “He actually used his feet. He was stepping back and not allowing me to get my counters off. I had to switch a couple things up, but I just didn’t succeed.”
All three judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110, giving Zepeda his first world title and completing the adjustments he believes made the difference.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/02 at 2:43 AM
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