Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Shakur Stevenson has vowed to put a belt to William Zepeda's rear in a preview of what the Mexican fighter can expect when they clash.

The WBC lightweight world champion will look to back up that talk Saturday night when he defends his title against the interim champ at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Corona, Queens, New York, and live on DAZN PPV.

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) returns to the ring following a ninth-round TKO of Josh Padley in February, while Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) produced a majority decision over Tevin Farmer just over a month later.

A statement win and Stevenson could line himself up for a mega fight in the near future, putting his superstar liftoff into orbit. 

 

 

Will Stevenson use his boxing brilliance to deliver his most impressive victory to date? Or will a rugged Zepeda overwhelm him with output in what would mark a significant upset?

With the stakes screaming at a fever pitch, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both fighters.

Shakur Stevenson’s Keys to Victory

Establish the jab and ring real estate

Whether His Excellency Turki Alalshikh was referring to Shakur Stevenson with his ‘Tom & Jerry’ comments or not, the WBC lightweight world champion is not a track star.

He is a sweet scientist who firmly plants his lead foot into the canvas, while proceeding to work behind a snappy, accurate jab — possibly the best jab in all of boxing belonging to arguably the best ring operator in the sport today.

Stevenson’s jab comes with healthy real estate which opponents often have trouble navigating across.

Establishing the jab against a bullish aggressor like William Zepeda is a major key.

Counter, pick Zepeda apart

One way to handle the pressure fighting of a boxer like Zepeda is flip his aggression against him.

When the Mexican warrior encroaches forward looking for head-hunting power shots, it is up to Stevenson to make him pay dearly by tapping his head, face and jaw with precisely placed punches.

Doing this will served a two-pronged purpose in frustrating the WBC interim lightweight titleholder and also picking him apart, racking up points and rounds along the way.

Hit and don’t get hit

A supremely gifted boxer’s ability to impose his sweet science skills against a battering ram of a pressure fighter is going to be tested in this bout.

Despite critics pinpointing a lack of action or hesitation to flat out fight at times, a smart Stevenson stands undefeated.

Plus, he is vowing to be himself, although acknowledging to DAZN News that Zepeda’s style is going to force him to fight.

That said, Stevenson continuing to be the ring general he is, jabbing away at Zepeda to control the fight, while being elusive on defense, could be all that’s needed for another successful title defense.

After all, his hit-and-don’t-get-hit brand of boxing has not been resolved yet.

 

William Zepeda’s keys to victory

Pressure, cut off the ring

Within moments of the opening bell, Shakur Stevenson is going to look to assert his jab by digging his lead foot into the proverbial sand.

One way for William Zepeda to knock the champ off his block is to fight forward with unrelenting pressure.

Whether Turki Alalshikh’s teasing of a shrinking ring comes to fruition or not, Zepeda must press forward and cut the ring off, locking Stevenson in the phone booth with him or getting as close to inside of the jab that he can muster.

Change levels, resort to the clinch when necessary

Another way for Zepeda to work his way inside is to feint and change levels, before exploding upwards.

Doing this might force Stevenson to fight off the back foot where Zepeda could sway judges with pressure punching or better yet for the interim champ — land something devastating.

Let hands fly

Against a slick, consummate ring general like Stevenson, who picks and places his shots with laser-like precision, Zepeda has got to drown him out with a high output.

Oscar De La Hoya, Zepeda's promoter, has likened his charge's output to that of a machine and his hands must be on automatic this weekend.

That means cranking his punch volume way up, even hitting Stevenson’s arms if that’s all he is getting.

This activity, as long as it is not reckless, is a must for Zepeda’s will to overcome Stevenson’s boxing radiance.

Watch the Ring III live from New York exclusively on DAZN PPV this Saturday, July 12. Buy the PPV now here