AND THE NEW! William Zepeda is Mexico’s newest WBC Lightweight World Champion!

After nearly two decades of chasing his dream, Zepeda’s journey has always been guided by the phrase, “El que trabaja, merece” – “He who works, deserves.” That belief fueled him every step of the way and ultimately carried him to boxing’s biggest stage. On August 1 in Las Vegas, Zepeda delivered a masterclass performance against Lamont Roach Jr. to capture the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship. From the opening bell, he took Roach Jr. into deep waters with his trademark relentless pressure and nonstop work rate, proving once again why he is one of boxing’s most feared volume punchers. After 12 dominant rounds, Zepeda earned a unanimous decision victory to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion.

The opportunity came after Zepeda’s first attempt at a world title in 2025 against undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in New York City. Despite falling short on the scorecards, Zepeda’s game plan pushed Stevenson through 12 competitive rounds and cemented his status among the lightweight division’s elite. When Stevenson moved up to the super lightweight division and vacated the WBC title, Zepeda earned another opportunity to fight for the same championship. With years of experience, momentum and lessons learned from his first title bid, Zepeda made the most of his second chance and seized the belt.

Zepeda’s path was paved by a career-defining run that saw him capture and successfully defend the WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship against former world champion Tevin Farmer. In November 2024, Zepeda overcame the first knockdown of his professional career to edge Farmer by split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, claiming the interim title. Four months later, he settled the rivalry in Cancún, Mexico, retaining the belt after another action-packed 12-round battle.

Before emerging as a world title contender, Zepeda steadily built one of the strongest resumes in the lightweight division. His breakout performance came in October 2022 against former world champion and Olympian Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, where he not only earned a signature victory but also set three CompuBox lightweight records for total punches thrown, jabs attempted in a round and total attempted jabs. He continued his rise with victories over former world champion Rene Alvarado, former world title challenger Mercito Gesta and former world champion Maxi Hughes.

Now sitting atop the lightweight division, “Camarón” has completed the journey from rising contender to world champion. With the WBC title around his waist and his relentless style continuing to captivate fans, Zepeda enters the next chapter of his career ready to establish his reign and further cement his legacy among Mexico’s great champions.