Zepeda Stops Hughes After Four Rounds
William Zepeda stopped Maxi Hughes at the end of the fourth round to win their WBA and IBF Title Eliminator.
Coming into the fight, Zepeda was already the WBC Interim Lightweight Champion. His latest win has now given him numerous world title shots. Zepeda began the fight on the front foot, but Hughes proved elusive, using his footwork to stay out of harm’s way. Hughes also landed a left hand to the body, warning Zepeda over being too reckless.
Things immediately changed in the second. Zepeda continued to target the body, using his uppercuts. The Mexican had more power, allowing him to walk down Hughes slowly. The body attacks continued as the referee took a quick glimpse at Hughes at the end of the third.
Zepeda Dominates
Hughes’ left eye was swollen, and soon, the fight would be over. Zepeda connected with a flurry of body shots as Hughes curled up in a defensive position. The referee and the ringside doctor monitored the fight closely. After a brief discussion, the referee ended the fight after the fourth while Hughes sat on the stool.
That was Zepeda’s third knockout in a row, taking his record to 29-0, with 25 KOs. He is in line to face Shakur Stevenson, the WBC Lightweight Champion. Zepeda could also face the winner of Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr., who fight for the vacant IBF Lightweight Title in May. The fighter also has the option to face Gervonta Davis, who is the WBA Lightweight Champion. Tank takes on Frank Martin in June. It was Hughes’ second loss in succession following his defeat to Kambosos.
Post-Fight
“That was what we worked on throughout this camp. It’s no secret, just an old-school approach. We target the body and work our way up to the head. We were very pleased with the results tonight. In a perfect world, I want Shakur next.
“I’m ready to answer that call. We’re going to sit down as a team and discuss what’s next for me. But I really feel out of all the champions out there, my style and Shakur’s match up the best. He needs an opponent and July is perfect timing for me to return.
“We have to recognize that Shakur is one of those big names. I want to show what I’m able to do, and Shakur is one of those people that I need to prove in order to get there. [And] I know my style of boxing is perfect for Shakur, throwing a lot of punches, making him confused, and just coming in and pressuring him. I know that’s going to make me victorious in this fight,” Zepeda said
Shakur has now responded to the call out, making it likely that the fight could happen later down the line.
“So, do y’all want to see me fight a machine next? I do,” Stevenson stated
“I really felt the pain from those body shots in round three. We tried different things, tried to make ourselves smaller. I just couldn’t keep him off me. My corner knows me too well. They knew the punishment I was taking and decided to stop the fight. Lightweight is stacked. But he’s good enough to compete with any of them,” Hughes said
Full Card
William Zepeda def. Maxi Hughes via a fourth-round TKO; Lightweight
Floyd Schofield def. Esteuri Suero via a DQ in round 5 (2:07); Lightweight
Eric Priest def. Jose Sanchez Charles via a UD (100-90, 99-91. 99-91); Middleweight
Tristan Kalkreuth def. Marquice Weston via second-round TKO; Cruiserweight
Joel Iriarte def. Levy Josue Garcia Benitez via a second-round TKO; Welterweight
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