Stevenson beats Zepeda to retain WBC lightweight title

Shakur Stevenson had to fight a lot more, and took a deserved win over William Zepeda.

Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight title with a win over William Zepeda, and shouldn’t hear any calls that his fight was boring this time around.

Stevenson won on wide cards, scored 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109, but he passed a good test against a strong and capable Zepeda, who came forward all night but just couldn’t quite match Stevenson’s skill level.

Bad Left Hook unofficially scored the fight 116-112 and 117-111 for Stevenson.

Stevenson (24-0, 11 KO) has been heavily criticized for dull fights in the past, but he definitely had to fight a lot more in this one, as Zepeda (33-1, 27 KO) was there to throw a lot of punches and try to break him down.

Stevenson also said that he fought to prove a point to his doubters, and gave Zepeda credit for being a strong and tough opponent.

“It wasn’t the performance I was looking for because I came in here trying to prove a point, I was trying to fight,” he said. “So I took more punishment than usual. But at the end of the day, whatever it takes to get the job done. I got dog in me. I’m not no puppy, I’m not no poodle, I’m a tough guy. I’ve got dog in me, I fought.”

“I proved that I’m a dog. (Zepeda is) one of the toughest fighters at 135 lbs, I want a lot of people to get in the ring with him and see how tough he is. He came and pushed me to another level. I had to go in my bag. He just kept coming. He tried to pin me against the ropes, so I had to switch it up and not sit there too long. Zepeda’s a tough guy. I put a lot of punishment on him tonight.”

Stevenson said he wants to get physically stronger going forward, and didn’t call anyone out for his next fight. It’s certainly a performance that should win some new fans for him, and Zepeda, too, fought as well as he could have, good performances from both fighters.