Zepeda Doesn’t Trust Judges Against Shakur: “They’ll Be on His Side”

Interim WBC lightweight champion William Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) has made it clear: he’s heading into his fight against full WBC titleholder Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) with one goal — a knockout victory.

“I’m only focused on getting the stoppage. Maybe it’ll happen in the tenth round. Maybe earlier. Maybe a bit later. But I know I need to win inside the distance,” said Zepeda.

“I’m going to New York — that’s his hometown. The judges will be on his side, and I understand I can’t let it go to the scorecards. That’s why my goal is to go in there and destroy him.”

Zepeda says he’s prepared himself mentally for the challenge ahead and expects Stevenson to fight cautiously, despite what he may claim.

“I’ve been preparing for this mentally in the gym. No matter how much he talks about standing and trading — he won’t. I know I need to make this a war. A real slugfest.

But I have to be smart. I can’t just charge in. I can’t make the same mistakes I did in the fight with Tevin Farmer.

But one thing I know for sure — once he feels my power, once I start attacking the body — there’s no way he’s going to stay in front of me and trade punches.”

The highly anticipated title fight between William Zepeda and Shakur Stevenson is scheduled for July 12 in Queens, New York, USA.