🥊 Shakur Stevenson Dominates William Zepeda to Stay Undefeated
Stevenson defeats Zepeda — Shakur Stevenson extended his unbeaten record to 24-0 with a dominant unanimous decision victory over William Zepeda on Saturday night in Queens, New York. The WBC lightweight champion controlled the pace, neutralized Zepeda’s aggressive style, and retained his title with scorecards reading 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109.
💬 Stevenson’s Statement Victory: “He Pushed Me to Another Level”
After the bout, Stevenson acknowledged Zepeda’s effort, saying:
“He came in, pushed me. He pushed me to another level.”
Although Stevenson didn’t secure a knockout, he impressed fans with his superior ring IQ, elite defense, and razor-sharp combinations. The Newark native showcased why he’s considered one of boxing’s most technically gifted fighters.
🧠A Tactical Showcase from Stevenson
From the opening bell, Stevenson opted to hold his ground rather than retreat, allowing Zepeda to pressure forward with volume punches. However, most of Zepeda’s shots landed harmlessly on Stevenson’s arms and shoulders.
Rather than simply avoid the exchanges, Stevenson countered with body jabs, uppercuts, and crisp combinations. He timed Zepeda’s aggressive advances and used his precision to dictate the pace. Even though Zepeda landed a solid right hand in Round 3, Stevenson quickly recovered and controlled every round thereafter.
📉 Zepeda’s Relentless Style Falls Short
To his credit, Zepeda never stopped throwing punches. His high-output style tested Stevenson’s defense but left him open for clean counters. By the middle rounds, Zepeda slowed just enough for Stevenson to take over fully. Stevenson began leading exchanges and landed clean hooks to both the head and body.
Although Zepeda was never in serious danger of being knocked out, he simply couldn’t match the accuracy, footwork, and timing of Stevenson. The difference in class became more evident as the fight wore on.
🎯 A Message to Critics: Stevenson Is No “Tom & Jerry Fighter”
The lead-up to the fight was filled with criticism — especially from Turki Alalshikh, who relegated Stevenson to the co-main event and demanded more excitement from fighters. Stevenson responded with a clever metaphor, saying that Jerry always outsmarted Tom by setting traps and making him pay.
That analogy came to life in the ring, as Stevenson outboxed and outclassed Zepeda while silencing critics who claimed he was too defensive.
🚀 What’s Next for Shakur Stevenson?
After this dominant showing, Stevenson has solidified himself as a true main-event star. The lightweight division is loaded with talent, including:
- Gervonta Davis
- Vasiliy Lomachenko
- Devin Haney
- Teofimo Lopez
With his unbeaten record intact and a renewed sense of urgency to entertain, Stevenson may now target unification or superfights. Stevenson defeats Zepeda.
🙋 FAQs
âť“Who won the fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda?
Shakur Stevenson won by unanimous decision, retaining his WBC lightweight title.
âť“What were the official scorecards?
The judges scored it 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109 in favor of Stevenson.
âť“Was William Zepeda knocked out?
No. Zepeda lost by decision but remained standing throughout all 12 rounds.
❓What’s next for Stevenson?
A possible title unification or a high-profile fight against top names like Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney.
