A potential clash that’s been in the making for some time — and for good reason. First, William Zepeda’s string of dominant wins pushed him to the top of all major sanctioning body rankings, making him a natural challenger for Shakur Stevenson. Second, their styles mesh in an almost cinematic way.

Stevenson is a master counterpuncher. As Óscar Valdez said after losing to him in 2022, most of his punches missed by centimeters — such was Shakur’s defense. However, Shakur’s recent performances have drawn criticism. His defensive masterclass against Edwin De Los Santos was seen as overly cautious, and even convincing wins over Arutyunyan and Padley didn’t exactly thrill fans.

Zepeda, on the other hand, is aggression personified — pressure, volume, and constant presence. Before 2024, he was riding a wave of stoppage victories and looked like the kind of fighter who could push Shakur into the deepest waters. But his two fights against fellow counterpuncher Tevin Farmer revealed limitations, especially when faced with someone who could frustrate him over the long haul.

Now, both fighters appear more vulnerable than ever — which only makes this matchup more compelling.

At 29, Zepeda is just a year older than the 28-year-old Stevenson. Both are entering their athletic prime — fully seasoned but still young enough to sharpen their edge.

Shakur’s résumé is deeper. He’s a three-division champion with wins over Robson Conceição, Óscar Valdez, De Los Santos, and Jamel Herring. But what’s most important: both fighters have now felt the frustration of fighting opponents who pushed them to the edge, not just in moments, but for entire rounds.

This isn’t just two talented fighters riding hype. It’s two men who know how it feels to be uncomfortable — and how to adjust.

Their styles generate very different numbers. Stevenson throws around 350–390 punches per fight. Zepeda averages nearly double — 570 to 600.

That’s William’s major strength: overwhelming offense. He cuts off the ring, applies pressure, and throws over 200 jabs per fight — though many of them are simply ways to close the gap. His true weapons come at mid- and close range, where he unloads without letting opponents breathe.

But this plays right into Shakur’s strengths. His jab is among the sport’s best. He can freeze opponents, pivot out of range, roll under fire, and counter precisely — all while maintaining airtight defense. He doesn’t just nullify aggression; he punishes it.

Both fought in 2025 — but against very different opponents.

Zepeda had a rematch with Tevin Farmer, eking out another close win against the elusive veteran. A frustrating assignment, but an important one stylistically.

Shakur, meanwhile, was supposed to face Floyd Schofield — a much closer stylistic match to Zepeda — but that bout fell through. Instead, Stevenson fought Padley, a very different fighter who couldn’t simulate the pressure Zepeda brings.

So while both stayed active, Zepeda arguably got the more relevant preparation.

Shakur has promised that Zepeda “will feel the power” — a rebuttal to frequent claims that he lacks pop.

But let’s be real: Stevenson is a surgeon, not a slugger. He breaks opponents down, punishes the body, mixes levels. But he doesn’t erase opponents with a single shot. Even Padley endured most of what he threw.

Zepeda, while not a pure knockout artist either, brings volume and heaviness. His shots wear you down, sap energy, and make you vulnerable to the big ones he sets up. He’s not always clean, but he’s consistent — and that breaks opponents over time.

Zepeda has been down. He’s never been stopped, but Tevin Farmer — not exactly a knockout artist — dropped him on the way in. If Farmer can do that, it’s not outlandish to think Stevenson could too — especially if the timing is right.

Shakur, by contrast, barely lets opponents test his chin. His positioning, head movement, and defensive instincts make clean shots nearly impossible. You don’t get close enough, and when you try — you’re countered.

Both are debuting in Queens, but it’s still a U.S. fight: American vs. Mexican on American soil. Zepeda has passionate support, especially from Mexican fans, but Shakur believes he’ll be the hometown favorite. He’s confident that the crowd — and the spotlight — will be his.

Even though Shiraz vs. Berlanga headlines the card, Stevenson expects to steal the show.

This fight matters deeply to both men. Fans and analysts have asked tough questions of both. Can Shakur handle nonstop pressure? Zepeda’s the man to find out. Can William adapt when his opponent is sharper and more reactive than Farmer? Shakur lives for those moments.

It’s not the mega-event of a Stevenson vs. Gervonta Davis showdown — but it’s still critical. Both camps have talked. Both fighters feel like they’ve been doubted. And both have a chance to silence critics.

The timing is perfect. They’re young. Undefeated. But human — exposed, just enough, to make this a test of styles and mental toughness.

In the end, it’s skill that will decide this fight. But psychology might just tip the scales.