Oscar De La Hoya, the Golden Boy Promotions founder, has extended his well-wishes to Shakur Stevenson following the lightweight champion’s recent hand surgery. De La Hoya has expressed a strong desire for Stevenson to be in peak physical condition before stepping into the ring against William Zepeda for the WBC lightweight title, which is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. Stevenson, who boasts an impressive record of 22 wins, zero losses, and ten knockouts, is now under pressure to ensure that his recovery allows him to perform at his best.
Shakur’s injury raises critical concerns about his ability to withstand the relentless offense that Zepeda is known for. Zepeda has proven himself to be a formidable opponent, demonstrated by his staggering output of 1,244 punches in a single fight against JoJo Diaz. Such strenuous activity in the ring can be taxing, especially for a fighter with hand issues. If Stevenson’s hands do not heal adequately, it could lead to immediate disadvantage against Zepeda’s vigorous style.
Before Stevenson can even think about dancing with Zepeda, the latter must first navigate through a significant bout with Tevin Farmer on November 16, 2023. The fight will be part of a Latino Night event taking place in Saudi Arabia, featuring Zepeda on the undercard for the main bout between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Chris Billiam-Smith. Zepeda, known for his aggressive fighting style (31-0, 27 KOs), will face Farmer in a 10-round contest, a decision that seems to favor Zepeda’s approach given Farmer’s less mobile nature in the ring.
De La Hoya commented on Zepeda’s tenacity, noting, “He’s again going to throw 1000 punches a fight.” His prediction underscores the almost relentless pressure Zepeda applies, making it difficult for any opponent to maintain composure. If Farmer is unable to counter Zepeda’s offensive, it could be a short night for the former IBF super featherweight champion.
Commentator Chris Mannix underscores the significance of Zepeda’s upcoming fight, stating that a victory is critical for progressing to a match against Stevenson next year. The logistical challenges of scheduling fights in boxing mean that while all parties are eager, concrete arrangements must be finalized. Both De La Hoya and Mannix remain optimistic about the prospect of Zepeda vs. Stevenson, emphasizing that both fighters desire the confrontation.
De La Hoya’s remarks highlight the respect he has for Stevenson’s skills, describing him as “a tremendous fighter and a beautiful boxer.” However, he is acutely aware of the unpredictability surrounding injuries and training camps. The reality is that if Stevenson fails to recover sufficiently from his hand surgery, the highly anticipated clash may be postponed indefinitely.
As both fighters prepare for their respective challenges, the boxing community remains on high alert. The stakes for Stevenson couldn’t be higher, and with Zepeda’s relentless approach, the upcoming months will be pivotal for both fighters’ careers.