William Zepeda’s Hard-Fought Win Over Tevin Farmer Comes at a High Cost
William Zepeda, one of the top names in lightweight boxing, claimed a razor-thin split-decision victory over Tevin Farmer on November 16 in Saudi Arabia. But while Zepeda stayed unbeaten, the win came with a serious setback. The 28-year-old star suffered a left arm injury during the fight, jeopardizing his much-anticipated bout with WBC lightweight champion […]
William Zepeda, one of the top names in lightweight boxing, claimed a razor-thin split-decision victory over Tevin Farmer on November 16 in Saudi Arabia. But while Zepeda stayed unbeaten, the win came with a serious setback. The 28-year-old star suffered a left arm injury during the fight, jeopardizing his much-anticipated bout with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Zepeda’s Injury: A Blow to His Momentum
The southpaw fighter, now 32-0 (27 KOs), showed incredible heart after being knocked down for the first time in his career. Despite his injury, sustained between his wrist and forearm in the sixth round, Zepeda threw punches with relentless energy. Over the final rounds, he maintained his high-volume style, delivering more than 70 punches per frame.
After returning to Mexico, doctors recommended six to eight weeks of rest, and surgery may be required. His coach, Jacob “Panda” Najar, confirmed that Zepeda will not be ready for the scheduled February 22 showdown with Stevenson in Saudi Arabia. “It’s the biggest fight and purse of his career,” Najar said, “but his health comes first. We won’t let him fight unless he’s 100 percent.”
Zepeda is staying positive and plans to return to the ring by the end of March. For now, his team is focused on his recovery, with a follow-up doctor’s appointment planned soon.
Shakur Stevenson’s Recovery Timeline
Interestingly, Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) is also coming off an injury. The lightweight champ underwent hand surgery in September, which forced him to cancel his fight against Joe Cordina. Stevenson, however, has been making steady progress and was preparing to face Zepeda in February as part of Riyadh Season’s big event.
With both fighters sidelined, fans will have to wait to see these elite boxers clash. Meanwhile, Zepeda’s performance against Farmer, a former champion, has shown why he’s a force in the division. “Farmer was a hell of a fighter,” Najar said. “We’ll be ready for Shakur once William is healthy.”
