There are several mouth-watering lightweight unifications just waiting to materialize, with three of boxing’s most formidable champions parading the red-hot 135 lb division.
WBA titleist Gervonta Davis, for instance, is still widely regarded as the king of his division, with the 29-year-old’s pulverizing power being enough to cause nightmares for any fighter.
And yet, instead of unifying with Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko or Denys Berinchyk – the remaining champions – Davis is now gearing up for a clash with WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach.
Eventually, though, one of the four belt holders will be compelled to defend his trinket against William Zepeda, who is ranked number one with all four sanctioning bodies.
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Chris Algieri explains why William Zepeda is more than ‘just a two-fisted destroyer’
Zepeda comes off a destructive third-round stoppage over Giovanni Cabrera, which followed an equally emphatic and measured performance against Maxi Hughes.
And so, with dynamite in both fists, the unbeaten Mexican has earned himself a deadly 87 percent knockout ratio, demonstrating that he is a dangerous opponent for anyone in his division.
But now, before he gets his shot at a world title, the 28-year-old must take on former world champion Tevin Farmer on November 16, looking to secure another standout performance.
“Zepeda keeps, I think, over performing,” former world champion Chris Algieri said on ProBox TV. “I’ve been more and more impressed with him the more I see of him. He’s been keeping busy, which is good.
“He’s not just a two-fisted destroyer, which [is what] I originally thought. He does have some savvy in there, he figures things out – especially with these guys who are usually hard to find.
“And he just sets a pace, he makes you fight his fight. If he can do what he’s been doing [against Farmer], that’s a big statement.”
Shakur Stevenson gives update on hand injury
Zepeda will appear on the undercard of Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith’s cruiserweight unification for a Latino-inspired boxing show in Saudi Arabia.
And then, should he come through what will almost certainly be a tough test against Farmer, the lightweight contender will, in all likelihood, chase down a collision with WBC champion Stevenson.
The bout has already been mooted for next year, after Stevenson was forced to pull out of his last fight against Joe Cordina because of a hand injury.
However, it now appears that he is on the road to recovery and, before long, looks to be back in the ring to defend his crown.