William Zepeda is sitting pretty atop the lightweight division as the No. 1-ranked contender across boxing’s four major sanctioning bodies.
But Zepeda’s (30-0, 26 KOs) master plan for a title shot can be spoiled should he have a slip-up Saturday against Giovanni Cabrera as he headlines a Golden Boy show at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on DAZN.
“I've seen a few of Cabrera’s fights before,” Zepeda told BoxingScene.
“He's the kind of fighter who is a difficult opponent. He throws a lot of punches, too. That's what we are getting ready for. Someone who is going to give me a lot of work. He has a different and awkward fighting style. He throws punches from angles you don't expect. I feel great and I feel strong. I have a lot of energy, and it will help me in this fight.”
Cabrera (22-1, 7 KOs) is trained by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach and is a former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner looking to spoil the party much like he nearly did his last year against Isaac Cruz when “Pitbull” edged out a split decision.
Cabrera is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision win against Ricardo Quiroz in March while, in the same month, Zepeda scored a four-round demolition job of Maxi Hughes.
“At this level, every fighter is a difficult fight because they all want what I have. I have to concentrate on each fight,” said Zepeda.
“He wants to take what I have already. Lightweight is a very difficult division. There are great quality fighters. And that's why I work hard, because I know of the difficulty.”
Zepeda is theoretically next in line to fight all the champions at 135 pounds, which currently include Gervonta Davis (WBA), Shakur Stevenson (WBC), Vasililiy Lomachenko (IBF), and Denys Berinchyk (WBO).
“I've asked Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez for the big fights already from now on. Oscar has told me that it's going to happen,” said Zepeda.
“We're just waiting on timing and opportunity to take on one of these main guys to get a title shot.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
