WBC Lightweight Title: Roach vs. Zepeda

Both fighters made weight at 134.6 lbs, setting up a genuine 50/50 fight.

The Records
Raymond Roach enters at 25-1-3 with 10 KOs, ranked #4 WBA and #2 WBC at lightweight. William Zepeda is 33-1 with 27 KOs, ranked #1 WBC, #3 WBO, and #3 Ring.

On paper this is a pick’em, but I expect Roach to carry the public backing — largely on name recognition rather than a clear stylistic edge.

Styles
This is a classic boxer-puncher clash. Roach is the technician: a sharp counterpuncher with an excellent chin, crisp combinations, and disciplined pocket work and defense. Zepeda is the opposite type — a southpaw with a slight reach advantage who fights behind relentless volume and heavy body work. He rarely lets up and is built to break opponents down over twelve rounds.

Zepeda’s lone loss came via unanimous decision to Shakur Stevenson in July 2025 for the WBC lightweight title. Before that, he held the WBC interim belt and racked up wins over Tevin Farmer (twice), along with stoppages of Giovanni Cabrera and Maxi Hughes — a resume built almost entirely on pressure and output.

The Angle
Roach’s precision and timing against Zepeda’s nonstop pressure is a great stylistic contrast, and this has real Fight of the Year potential. Zepeda may be carrying some ring rust off the Stevenson loss, but I see several paths for him to get this done — and at this price, the value is too good to pass up.

Pick: William Zepeda +135

Let’s cash some tickets!