Stevenson is the reigning champion and will enter the fight having won all 23 fights in his professional career. He has won 11 of his fights by knockout.
He is coming off a TKO victory over Josh Padley on Feb 22 in Saudi Arabia. It was his third title defense.
Zepeda enters the fight as the interim champion, having won all 33 fights in his career, with 27 of them coming by knockout.
Zepeda beat Tevin Farmer by split decision on Nov. 16, 2024, to win the vacant WBC interim lightweight title in Saudi Arabia. Zepeda got the best of Farmer again with a majority decision victory in Cancun, Mexico, on March 29 to retain the title earlier this year.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming fight.
USA TODAY Sports has you covered with updates, analysis and highlights from the Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda card here:
Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias result:
The fight has been even through the first eight rounds with Pueblo’s WBC super lightweight title on the line.
In the championship rounds, Puello lands a right-handed upper cut in the 11th round that hurt Matias but doesn’t knock him down. Matias appeared exhausted down the stretch.
Puello earned the decision victory and retained his championship.
David Morrell vs Imam Khataev result:
Imam Khataev delivered a two-punch power combination that nearly buckled the knees of David Morrell in the second round. It was the first time Morrell was knocked down in his career. Morrell managed to do some damage as well, creating a cut above Khataev’s right eye in the early rounds.
Morrell’s team was overheard discussing the cut between the second and third rounds with Morrell.
Morrell was on pace to win the fifth round before Khataev landed a right-handed shot that sent the Cuban boxer back into the ropes in the final moments of the round. Morrell was fighting with a sense of urgency in the final 1:30 of the ninth round, landing several strikes to Khataev.
While some thought Khataev would’ve earned the victory, it was Morrell who was tabbed as the winner by split decision. It’s an early contender for fight of the night.
Morrell entered the fight ranked in the Top 5 by the World Boxing Association.
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda: Time, PPV, streaming for fight
The highly anticipated bout between Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda will take place on Saturday, July 12 and can be watched on DAZN.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda main event ringwalks: 8:40 p.m. ET
Stream: DAZN PPV
Watch Stevenson vs Zepeda with DAZN
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda main card, ring walk start times
Main card start time: 6 p.m. ET
Stevenson vs. Zepeda ring walks: 8:40 p.m. ET (approximate)
Main event (Berlanga vs. Sheeraz) ring walks: 11 p.m. ET (approximate)
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda fight card odds
All odds are for moneyline bets as of Thursday, according to BetMGM.
Edgar Berlanga (+110) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (-135): Super middleweight
Shakur Stevenson (-1100) vs. William Zepeda (+650): for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title
Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias: for Puello’s WBC super lightweight title
David Morrell vs. Imam Khataev: Light heavyweight
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda Predictions
BetMGM: Shakur Stevenson to win
Staff writes: For this WBC lightweight championship match between Stevenson and Zepeda, I predict that the former will win via unanimous decision against the latter because he already has a blueprint to beat power punchers and has enormous experience in high-level championship fights. Much like he did against Edwin De Los Santos, I expect Stevenson to break down Zepeda with stiff counters and solid jabs that would allow him to score points in the judges’ scorecards while frustrating him at the same time.’
DAZN: Stevenson has the edge
Mark Lelinwalla writes: ‘Masterful at planting his lead foot into the canvas and controlling the distance, Shakur Stevenson is absolutely brilliant working behind the jab, the anchor to his supreme sweet science. On the defensive side, Stevenson is slick and elusive, relying on the hit and don’t get hit brand of boxing. He has the boxing skills to negate Zepeda’s forward fighting and imposing power especially if the Mexican fighter struggles to get inside of Stevenson’s world-class jab, arguably the best in all of boxing.’
Forbes: Stevenson to win via unanimous decision
Trent Reinsmith writes: ‘Zepeda needs to overcome the defense of Stevenson, and that’s a tall order for any fighter. Put simply, Zepeda doesn’t have the style to do that. His best hope is that he can score through volume and convince the judges to give him the nod because of that. Stevenson will prove to be defensively sound, and score with enough counters to get the nod.’
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda fight card
Main card
Edgar Berlanga vs Hamzah Sheeraz: Super middleweight
Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda: for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title
Alberto Puello vs Subriel Matias: for Puello’s WBC super lightweight title
David Morrell vs Imam Khataev: Light heavyweight
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda price
Shakur Stevenson will face William Zepeda, which includes the co-main event of Berlaga vs. Sheeraz, will be streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View. In the U.S., fans can purchase the event for $59.99.
