Trainer Greg Hackett sees William Zepeda as a serious threat to Shakur Stevenson should they meet in a lightweight title showdown. Fresh off Zepeda’s hard-fought majority decision victory over Tevin Farmer in their rematch last Saturday in Cancun, Hackett came away impressed with the Mexican’s unwavering pressure and sturdy chin.
Farmer’s slick style is viewed as one of the closest approximations to Stevenson’s approach, yet Hackett acknowledges distinct differences. While Stevenson is sharper and more adept at neutralizing opponents’ strengths, he doesn’t have Farmer’s unexpected pop or the same angle-changing unpredictability. Hackett warns that if Stevenson’s hands suffer any setbacks or if he can’t generate enough offense to keep Zepeda honest, he may struggle to keep pace with the rugged, high-output pressure Zepeda brings.
“Shakur might make the fight easier by controlling distance and limiting Zepeda’s strengths,” Hackett observed, “but if Shakur can’t discourage him, Zepeda won’t hesitate to eat punches to land his own. You can’t just run all night against a guy like that.” The trainer believes that a healthy Stevenson could still adapt but notes that Zepeda’s aggression and durability will demand near-perfect execution.
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