William Zepeda and Tevin Farmer will look to settle their unfinished business on March 29 when they meet in a rematch at Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico.
The all-southpaw fight, which was announced Thursday by Zepeda’s promoter Golden Boy Promotions, will be contested for the WBC interim lightweight title, which Zepeda won in their last bout in November by split decision. It will headline a card that will be broadcasted live on DAZN.
Zepeda, 32-0 (27 KOs), of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico rose off the canvas in round four to win a split decision in the fight, which was only scheduled for 10 rounds despite having an interim title at stake. The margin of victory was just one point on two cards, 95-94, while the third had it for the same score for Farmer, 33-7-1 (8 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"I've trained hard for years to earn this world title, and I'm proud to get back in the ring and defend it in this highly anticipated rematch against Tevin Farmer,” said Zepeda in a press release. “The fans asked for it, and I'm ready to give them an even better version of myself. I'll leave no doubt in anyone's mind that I'm the clear winner."
“I was off for 3.5 years, and fighting him the first time was the first time I felt somewhat comfortable in the ring. Ring rust is real, but now it’s all gone,” said Tevin Farmer.
“Last time, I let him live and let him do more than I should have. This time, there’s no mercy. He’s not on my level, and on March 29, I’m not just winning—I’m making a statement. I’m going to show the world that I’m still A top dog in this game. Never doubt Tevin Farmer. Y’all should know that by now—I’m like a fly you can’t get rid of. I just keep coming back. Just tune in on March 29 on DAZN and watch me become a two-time world champion.”
BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire confirmed with Golden Boy's Eric Gomez that this fight will be scheduled for twelve rounds.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to BoxingScene that the fight will be a twelve-rounder, while saying his organization didn't order the rematch because all parties were willing to make it happen.
"This is a natural rematch by popular demand. The WBC did recommend - there was no need to mandate the fight - the promoters negotiated in good faith. It is a twelve-round fight, both fighters are enrolled in VADA. It’s going to be a sensational event in Cancun, Mexico," said Sulaiman.
The winner would logically be the next in line to face the winner between WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield on February 22.
“The first time these two stars went to war, I advised everyone to not sleep on Farmer; and he delivered a terrific performance, knocking down Zepeda and giving him the toughest fight of his career,” said Oscar De La Hoya. “This rematch promises to be an even better battle. Will Zepeda be able to adjust and get back to his electric, knockout ways, or will Farmer do enough to win this time? This is must see TV for fans on March 29.”
Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.