In a dazzling display of skill and strategy, Shakur Stevenson cemented his reign as the WBC World Lightweight Champion, securing a definitive unanimous decision victory over the relentless William Zepeda. The electric atmosphere of Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, United States, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, played host to this captivating clash, a featured attraction on the undercard of the Berlanga vs. Sheeraz: Ring III event. This in-depth article dissects the Stevenson vs. Zepeda showdown, providing a round-by-round statistical breakdown, insightful analysis, and expert commentary, offering fight fans a comprehensive understanding of the contest. The action-packed undercard also saw Subriel Matias claim victory over Alberto Puello and David Morrell triumph against Imam Khataev, adding to the night’s excitement.
And Still! Shakur Stevenson emerged victorious, retaining his WBC World Lightweight Championship.
The judges’ scorecards unequivocally reflected Stevenson’s dominance, showcasing his tactical brilliance and ring control. Stevenson successfully defended his WBC World Lightweight Championship, adding another impressive victory to his unblemished record. This marked Stevenson’s first defense of the title since winning it against Edwin De Los Santos in November 2023.
While Stevenson had more experience in championship bouts, Zepeda’s power and aggressive approach were anticipated to seriously challenge Stevenson’s defensive capabilities. Zepeda had more professional fights under his belt, having had 10 more fights and debuting in 2015, approximately 1 year and 5 months before Stevenson. Zepeda had, however, fought 6 fewer professional rounds than Stevenson.
The heart of this analysis lies in the detailed round-by-round punch stats, revealing the ebb and flow of the fight.
| Round | Shakur Stevenson Punches Landed/Thrown (Accuracy) | William Zepeda Punches Landed/Thrown (Accuracy) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23/53 (43.4%) | 11/68 (16.2%) | Stevenson came out sharp, establishing his jab and controlling the center of the ring. Zepeda struggled to find his rhythm and range. |
| 2 | 25/50 (50%) | 27/103 (26.2%) | Zepeda increased his punch output, landing more shots, but Stevenson remained composed, landing with better accuracy. |
| 3 | 25/54 (46.3%) | 32/103 (31.1%) | A busier round for both fighters as Zepeda continued to pressure Stevenson, who utilized effective counter-punching. |
| 4 | 30/54 (55.6%) | 23/93 (24.7%) | Stevenson’s accuracy was on full display, landing a high percentage of his punches. Zepeda’s aggression was not enough to overcome Stevenson’s clean, precise punches. |
| 5 | 23/48 (47.9%) | 26/78 (33.3%) | Zepeda had some success landing his jab, but Stevenson’s power punches had greater impact. |
| 6 | 25/43 (58.1%) | 24/81 (29.6%) | Stevenson began to truly dominate, effectively using his footwork and angles to evade Zepeda’s attacks, allowing him to land cleaner, more effective shots. |
| 7 | 26/45 (57.8%) | 22/87 (25.3%) | Stevenson continued to outbox Zepeda, maintaining a comfortable distance while landing with greater accuracy and consistency. |
| 8 | 22/40 (55%) | 26/75 (34.7%) | Zepeda demonstrated resilience, but Stevenson’s superior defensive skills and counter-punching kept him firmly in control of the fight. |
| 9 | 25/46 (54.3%) | 27/84 (32.1%) | A highly competitive round, with both fighters connecting. However, Stevenson’s cleaner, more impactful shots likely earned him the edge on the scorecards. |
| 10 | 26/47 (55.3%) | 17/67 (25.4%) | Stevenson maintained his composure and accuracy, effectively frustrating Zepeda’s persistent attempts to close the distance and land power punches. |
| 11 | 22/40 (55%) | 19/71 (26.8%) | Stevenson continued to control the pace and distance, consistently landing clean punches and skillfully avoiding Zepeda’s attempts to land significant power shots. |
| 12 | 23/45 (51.1%) | 18/69 (26.1%) | Stevenson finished the fight strong, solidifying his unanimous decision victory. Despite Zepeda’s determined efforts, he was ultimately unable to overcome Stevenson’s superior skill set. |
| Statistic | Shakur Stevenson | William Zepeda |
|---|---|---|
| Total Punches Landed | 295 | 290 |
| Total Punches Thrown | 555 | 979 |
| Punch Accuracy | 53.1% | 29.6% |
Statistical Analysis: Stevenson’s superior punch accuracy (53.1% compared to Zepeda’s 29.6%) proved to be a decisive factor in his victory. While Zepeda threw a higher volume of punches, Stevenson’s ability to land a significantly higher percentage of his shots underscored his precision and efficiency in the ring.
Shakur Stevenson’s masterful performance against William Zepeda showcased his exceptional boxing skills, defensive brilliance, and remarkable ring IQ. He successfully neutralized Zepeda’s power and relentless aggression, consistently landing clean punches and dictating the pace of the fight. This victory further solidifies Stevenson’s position as one of the elite lightweight boxers in the world.
For Zepeda, this loss underscores the importance of improving his overall accuracy and developing adaptable strategies to employ against highly skilled boxers such as Stevenson. Despite his unwavering effort and determination, he was unable to effectively overcome Stevenson’s defensive prowess and counter-punching capabilities.
Future Prospects: Stevenson’s future could include highly anticipated matchups against other top lightweights, such as Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Zepeda may need to reassess his approach and work diligently to climb back into title contention.
Shakur Stevenson’s unanimous decision victory over William Zepeda served as a resounding testament to his superior boxing skills and exceptional ring generalship. The detailed statistical analysis highlighted Stevenson’s dominance in punch accuracy and overall control throughout the fight. While Zepeda displayed admirable resilience and aggression, he was ultimately unable to overcome Stevenson’s defensive brilliance and tactical acumen. Stevenson’s impressive victory solidifies his status as a dominant force in the lightweight division and sets the stage for a series of compelling future matchups.
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