Date: July 13, 2025
Venue: Louis Armstrong Stadium, Queens, New York
Venue: Louis Armstrong Stadium, Queens, New York
Pre-Fight Narrative: A Champion Under Fire
For months, Shakur Stevenson had heard the same criticisms: too cautious, too technical, too willing to let fights drift into dull chess matches. Boos and early arena exits shadowed his last two outings, leaving the undefeated WBC lightweight champion promising a different version of himself. Across the ring stood William Zepeda, a Mexican volume-puncher whose relentless pressure and 30-fight knockout streak made him the perfect foil to force Stevenson into a firefight. The stakes were simple—retain the belt and rehabilitate a reputation, or risk being labeled a front-runner who wilts when forced to exchange.
Round-by-Round Highlights: From Ropes to Center Ring
Early Exchanges: Zepeda’s Moment in the Sun
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Round 3 – The Power Jab That Shook Queens:
Zepeda pinned Stevenson along the ropes and detonated a short, thudding jab that buckled the champion’s knees. For a fleeting second, the crowd sensed an upset. Stevenson, however, smiled through the sting, nodded at Zepeda, and fired back a counter left that reminded everyone the champion still had legs—and bite.
Mid-Fight Chess Match: Skill vs. Will
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Rounds 4-6 – Stevenson’s Counter-Punching Clinic:
Rather than retreat, Stevenson invited Zepeda to throw in flurries, slipping punches by mere millimeters and answering with compact hooks to head and body. CompuBox numbers showed Stevenson landing 47% of his power shots in this stretch, while Zepeda connected on just 28% despite throwing nearly twice as many punches. -
Rounds 7-9 – Taking Center Stage:
By the midway point, Stevenson stopped ceding ground. He planted his feet in the middle of the ring, doubled up the jab, and ripped uppercuts through Zepeda’s guard. Zepeda’s output dipped—his punch count fell from 87 per round early to 64—while swelling began to form under both eyes.
Championship Rounds: Heart, Volume, and a Champion’s Resolve
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Rounds 10-12 – Zepeda’s Last Surge:
Sensing the deficit, Zepeda bull-rushed Stevenson to the ropes and unloaded 30-punch bursts to the body. Each crowd-pleasing salvo drew roars, but slow-motion replays revealed many punches glancing off elbows and shoulders. Stevenson countered with surgical right hooks, visibly snapping Zepeda’s head back in the final 30 seconds.
Scorecards: A Clear but Competitive Verdict
| Judge | Score |
|---|---|
| Judge 1 | 118-110 Stevenson |
| Judge 2 | 118-110 Stevenson |
| Judge 3 | 119-109 Stevenson |
While the margins look wide, the fight never felt like a runaway; Zepeda’s constant pressure and occasional bursts kept every round debatable until the final bell.
Post-Fight Quotes: Pride, Honesty, and Respect
Shakur Stevenson (29-0, 14 KOs)
“I came here to prove a point. It wasn’t the performance I was looking for—I took more punishment than usual—but whatever it takes to get the job done. I’ve got dog in me; I’m not no poodle. I proved that tonight. William Zepeda is one of the toughest fighters in the world at 135 pounds.”
William Zepeda (31-1, 27 KOs)
“I thought I made it close in spots. Shakur is slick, but I never stopped trying to break him down. I’ll be back stronger. Mexico knows I left everything in that ring.”
What’s Next? Immediate Future for Both Fighters
Shakur Stevenson
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Unification Talks: Promoter Eddie Hearn hinted at a fall showdown with IBF champion Teofimo Lopez should Lopez win his August defense.
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Fan Redemption Tour: Expect Stevenson’s next fight to headline a stadium in Newark, New Jersey, where his core fanbase can celebrate a more aggressive style.
William Zepeda
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Title Eliminator: The WBC will likely order Zepeda to face George Kambosos Jr. in a final eliminator, keeping him one win away from another shot.
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Style Adjustment: Trainer Romulo Quirarte admitted they’ll work on cutting off the ring more efficiently to prevent Stevenson-type counter-punchers from dictating pace.
FAQ: Everything You Still Want to Know
Q: Was this really an “entertaining” fight by Stevenson’s standards?
A: Absolutely. Stevenson averaged 68 punches per round—20 more than his previous two fights—and willingly traded in the pocket for sustained stretches. The crowd of 11,327 stayed on its feet for the final three rounds.
A: Absolutely. Stevenson averaged 68 punches per round—20 more than his previous two fights—and willingly traded in the pocket for sustained stretches. The crowd of 11,327 stayed on its feet for the final three rounds.
Q: How did the judges justify the 118-110 cards?
A: They rewarded clean, accurate punching over volume. Zepeda out-threw Stevenson 1,127 to 816, but landed only 214 total punches compared to Stevenson’s 275. Power punches favored Stevenson 201-153.
A: They rewarded clean, accurate punching over volume. Zepeda out-threw Stevenson 1,127 to 816, but landed only 214 total punches compared to Stevenson’s 275. Power punches favored Stevenson 201-153.
Q: Could Zepeda have done anything differently?
A: Cutting the ring in half instead of following in straight lines might have limited Stevenson’s escape routes. Zepeda also abandoned the jab early, allowing Stevenson to time counters over the top.
A: Cutting the ring in half instead of following in straight lines might have limited Stevenson’s escape routes. Zepeda also abandoned the jab early, allowing Stevenson to time counters over the top.
Q: Will there be a rematch?
A: Unlikely. Stevenson has bigger financial fights on the horizon, and Zepeda will need at least one high-profile win to re-enter the title picture.
A: Unlikely. Stevenson has bigger financial fights on the horizon, and Zepeda will need at least one high-profile win to re-enter the title picture.
Final Takeaway
Shakur Stevenson didn’t just retain his title—he rewrote the narrative. By standing in harm’s way and outfighting one of the division’s most relentless pressure fighters, he reminded fans that skill and grit can coexist. William Zepeda lost the battle but gained admirers, proving he belongs on boxing’s biggest stages. The lightweight division remains boxing’s most talent-rich weight class, and Saturday night’s chapter only added fuel to an already raging fire.