Jose Zepeda is victorious following an emphatic opening-round stoppage of Josue Vargas. Picture by Mikey Williams/High Rank Inc through Getty Photos
LAS VEGAS – Jose Zepeda knew the whispers. He knew the discuss was on the market that the 32-year-old southpaw junior welterweight from La Puente, California, might have misplaced one thing after his blood warfare with Ivan Baranchyk final October.
Zepeda admits that he didn’t assist himself a lot by his following battle, a lackluster 10-round unanimous choice over 37-year-old Hank Lundy in Could.
Perhaps, Zepeda feels, the entire discuss could be squashed after he squashed Josue Vargas in 105 seconds final Saturday within the first spherical of their scheduled 10-round headliner at Madison Sq. Backyard’s Hulu Theater.
“It was my mistake, the Lundy battle, I wasn’t skilled sufficient to prepare and if something, the Baranchyk battle made me rather a lot stronger,” stated Zepeda, whose Baranchyk victory garnered he and Baranchyk common acceptance because the 2020 Battle of the Yr. “The Baranchyk battle made me stronger each mentally and bodily. I took this battle 100-percent significantly and everybody noticed that.
“Josue by no means bought below my pores and skin. Within the weigh-in, I do know Josue was nervous and he needed to launch the entire nerves that he had. After the weigh-in, I advised my workforce that I wasn’t going to let this man punk me once more. I wished to face up somewhat bit. On battle night time, I do know I’m a greater fighter after I’m 100-percent centered.”
Zepeda (35-2, 27 knockouts) stated his subsequent battle needs to be in opposition to the WBC junior welterweight world champion, which presently occurs to be Josh Taylor. Zepeda stated he’ll discuss to his workforce to see what lies forward—and his considering and what he’s heard is that Taylor will likely be shifting up in weight.
“If Taylor has the WBC belt, then I battle Taylor, so if it’s another person, I battle them,” Zepeda stated. “I’ll battle whoever has the WBC belt, and if it’s for the vacant title, then I battle for the vacant title.
“It’s why I don’t like placing names on the market, since you simply don’t know. I’m not going again. My subsequent battle needs to be for the WBC world title. I’ve been listening to rather a lot that Josh will likely be shifting up after his subsequent battle. I gained’t put a reputation on the market.
“It’s what I’ve been promised. I used to be there when my promoter known as (WBC President) Mauricio (Sulaiman) about preventing for the title after the Baranchyk battle. Mauricio stated I used to be subsequent for the WBC world championship. These final two fights have been to remain energetic and have been my alternative.
“Doing a 3rd battle this yr, I don’t wish to put my place in danger. We’ll discuss to the workforce and see what occurs.”
Zepeda spoke to The Ring on Tuesday and felt very contemporary.
Within the blink, Zepeda arrange Vargas (19-2, 9 KOs) with a straight left and he couldn’t recuperate.
“I’ve to say this was certainly one of my higher victories, due to the hype and I had lots of people cheering for me,” Zepeda stated. “Nobody bought harm. Everybody walked away wholesome.”
Zepeda then took a second to examine one thing out—his smiling face together with his fingers held up in victory on the RingTV.com web site.
Zepeda laughed.
“Yep, that’s a well-known face,” Zepeda stated, laughing once more. “I wanted the Baranchyk battle. That battle made me a greater fighter. I’m not going wherever. I proved what I can do. If something, these final six, seven fights have made me a lot stronger in my psychological recreation.
“I used to be all the time prepared bodily. My psychological recreation was not good. I’ve to say it. I needed to recuperate from the (Jose Ramirez loss). These final two years have helped me, particularly the Baranchyk battle. I’m a stronger fighter mentally due to it.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He could be adopted on twitter @JSantoliquito.
