Could this be Jose Zepeda’s last chance?
The 33-year-old boxer from Los Angeles has earned the respect of the boxing world fighting at the elite level for nearly a decade, mostly in the junior weight class. There’s only one thing missing: a major world title.
He fought for a world title twice and both times failed. He lost to then 135-pound champion Terry Flanagan when he dislocated his shoulder and was unable to continue in 2015 and then ended up wrongly by majority decision to then-belt holder 140 pounds. Jose Ramirez in 2019.
Zepeda (35-2, 27 KOs) will have another chance against Regis Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) in a pay-per-view match on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
“This is a This is my third time competing for the world title, and that’s why I always say it’s time for me to win the world title,” he said. “I have all the experience I need. Regis Prograis will be fighting the best version of Jose Zepeda.
“I really believe it’s now or never.”
Some believe Zepeda deserved the decision against Ramirez, who won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114, cementing his reputation as a stellar puncher.
And he has performed very well since the defeat, leading 5-0 against a senior opponent (not counting the match without an opponent). He also had no doubts about his mettle in the Wild Match of the Year 2020 against Ivan Baranchyk, in which he went through four knockdowns to knock Baranchyk four times and stop him in Round 5.
Zepeda can do it all. And, as the clock ticks, he remains as motivated as ever.
“Prograis will be amazed at my strength and speed,” he said. “We will both fight the way we fought. He hits hard, I hit hard, and we both want to win, which makes for a great fight. …
“I truly believe this is the best version of me for this fight.”
And Zepeda believes he has one more advantage: Fighting at home. He lives in La Puente, about 30 miles from Carson.
“It’s great to be fighting for the world title at home,” he said. “I always fight on the road. That gives me extra motivation to fight in my backyard. It will be a great night for boxing. I’ve heard it all before that I won’t win certain fights, but my record speaks for itself.”
