WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson may be set to defend his title against hard-hitting William Zepeda on February 22nd, in what promoter Eddie Hearn describes as the "best card yet for Riyadh Season." Although still unconfirmed, the potential showdown is being positioned as Stevenson's comeback following hand surgery, which led to the cancellation of his Matchroom debut against Joe Cordina earlier this month.
Hearn, who recently signed Stevenson to a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing, has big plans for the 2016 Olympic silver medalist. He envisions this fight as the first step toward building Shakur into a global superstar, with a clash against Gervonta "Tank" Davis potentially in the pipeline for mid-2025. However, Stevenson's history with hand injuries has fans and analysts alike hoping he'll stay healthy throughout training.
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Meanwhile, Golden Boy-promoted Zepeda has a tune-up fight lined up against Tevin Farmer on November 16th as part of Latino Night in Riyadh. Farmer, with a defensive style similar to Stevenson's, is expected to give Zepeda the ideal preparation for the elusive southpaw champion. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power, Zepeda is a relentless pressure fighter who could give Stevenson a real test.
Zepeda's pursuit could pose problems for Stevenson, who has occasionally struggled against power punchers, most notably in his fight last November against Edwin De Los Santos. Although Stevenson won that bout on the cards, many fans felt his movement-heavy approach didn’t do enough to secure the win.
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