Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda vacant title fight made official.
Lamont Roach Jr. is someone who many believe has been very unlucky as of recently. A couple of blemishes from a few years ago aside, the man known as “The Reaper” has always been known as a slick, tricky, and talented operator.
His talent led him to win the WBA super-featherweight title, which he defended successfully. However, it was his fight last year against Gervonta Davis that really got people talking.
Many came away from that contest believing that Roach should have had his hand raised and been awarded the WBA lightweight strap, and he would have if it weren’t for a controversial no-knockdown call in the 9th round that ultimately salvaged a draw for Davis.
Roach’s next fight was only a bit less controversial, as he again had to settle for a tie against former Davis opponent Isaac Cruz for the WBC interim super-lightweight title. Again, many had Roach winning that one.
But now Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) will be facing his second Mexican buzzsaw in a row, as his showdown with William Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) has officially been announced.
Zepeda is a former WBC interim lightweight strapholder and is considered to have one of the most problematic styles in the sport. An ever-swinging beast of pressure, “Camaron” brought out the offensive best in defensive master Shakur Stevenson in his only defeat to date.
Aside from that, Zepeda owns wins over other slicksters like Tevin Farmer and England’s Maxi Hughes, and it should be noted that Roach was dropped in his last fight by a foe who employs very similar tactics to Zepeda.
All of this will undoubtedly make for a massively intriguing contest when the two throw down for the vacant WBC lightweight title on the 1st of August in Las Vegas.
‼️ ANNOUNCED: Lamont Roach will face William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1st in Las Vegas on DAZN. pic.twitter.com/CzNhpjazog
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 3, 2026
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