Tevin Farmer is back stateside with renewed energy and plenty to say following his razor-thin split decision loss to William Zepeda in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Philadelphia fighter, who delivered a knockdown in the fourth round with a perfectly timed left hand, came up just short in his bid for the WBC interim lightweight title.
Despite the loss, Farmer’s gutsy performance against the unbeaten Zepeda has reaffirmed his place among the elite at lightweight. Two judges scored the fight 95-94 in favor of Zepeda, while one saw it for Farmer by the same margin.
"I thought I won, but it was an incredible experience fighting in Saudi Arabia," Farmer said. "Zepeda’s team expected me to box, but I took the fight to him. I had to show I could be the aggressor."
The highlight of Farmer’s night came in the fourth round when he capitalized on a lazy jab from Zepeda, landing a precise left hand that sent the Mexican to the canvas. Farmer, known more for his boxing IQ than knockout power, relished the moment.
Watch Zepeda vs. Farmer highlights: Watch
"Four of my last five opponents have hit the canvas," Farmer said. "Now that includes the top contender at lightweight. People can’t say I don’t have power anymore."
Farmer’s performance comes just months after a close loss to Raymond Muratalla, another unbeaten lightweight prospect. Yet, he remains optimistic about his future in the division.
"Both fights proved I can still hang with and beat these young lions,” Farmer added. “I want an immediate rematch with Zepeda, but if not, I’m ready for any big fight."
Promoter Lou DiBella echoed Farmer’s confidence. "Tevin Farmer went toe-to-toe with the number-one contender and scored the only knockdown of the fight. He deserves respect and will win another big fight."
With his adaptability and grit on full display, Farmer has made it clear he’s still a force to be reckoned with at lightweight - and he’s ready to prove it again.
Image Credit: Golden Boy Promotions