Zepeda vs. Farmer 2
Saturday, Feb 29, 2025 | Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico | Live on DAZN | Lightweight (12 rounds)
In a high-stakes rematch brimming with tension and tactical shifts, Mexico’s William Zepeda (29-1, 25 KOs) secured a majority decision victory over Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) to claim the WBC Interim Lightweight Championship. The judges’ scorecards (114-114, 116-112, 115-113) reflected the bout’s competitive nature, with Zepeda’s relentless volume ultimately swaying two judges in front of a raucous Cancun crowd. The DAZN-broadcasted event, held on March 29, 2025, marked Zepeda’s redemption after their controversial 2023 draw, while Farmer’s late surge left fans divided on the verdict.
Fight Recap
Round-by-Round Highlights
- Round 1: Tentative start. Both fighters traded jabs, but Zepeda’s sharper power punches (9 landed) set an early tone.
- Round 2: Zepeda’s explosive 42-punch output (34 power strikes) overwhelmed Farmer, who landed just 5 punches.
- Rounds 3-5: Zepeda maintained a blistering pace, outlanding Farmer 119-32 in total punches. Farmer’s low accuracy (15-20%) on power shots left him trailing.
- Round 6-8: Farmer adjusted defensively, but Zepeda’s body work (18 power punches to the midsection) drained the American’s stamina.
- Round 11-12: Farmer’s resurgence. He landed 48 punches in the final two rounds, including a career-high 22 power shots in Round 12, nearly swaying the judges.
Key Statistics
| Category | Zepeda | Farmer |
|---|
| Total Punches Landed | 344 | 155 |
| Total Punches Thrown | 1,009 | 683 |
| Power Punches Landed | 254 (44%) | 106 (29%) |
| Jab Accuracy | 22.5% | 13.7% |
William Zepeda
- Strengths: Relentless volume (100+ punches thrown in 8 rounds), devastating body attack, and southpaw angles disrupted Farmer’s rhythm.
- Weaknesses: Defensive lapses in late rounds; absorbed 44% of Farmer’s total power shots in Rounds 11-12.
Tevin Farmer
- Strengths: Tactical adjustments in mid-fight; capitalized on Zepeda’s fatigue late with precision counterpunching.
- Weaknesses: Slow start proved insurmountable; 10.4% accuracy in Round 2 epitomized early struggles.
Style Clash Verdict: Zepeda’s pressure-heavy southpaw approach neutralized Farmer’s orthodox counterpunching for most rounds, aligning with pre-fight predictions favoring aggression over finesse.
Key Takeaways
Career Implications
- Zepeda: Positions himself for a shot at undisputed WBC champion Shakur Stevenson. Proved stamina and resilience in a 12-round war.
- Farmer: At 34, questions arise about his elite viability. Moral victory in late surge, but 1-3-1 in last five fights.
Fan & Analyst Reactions
- Social media split: #RobberyFarmer trended briefly, while analysts praised Zepeda’s “banked rounds” strategy.
- CompuBox drew attention to Zepeda’s historic output: First lightweight since 2020 to land 250+ power punches.
Controversies
- Judge Carlos Suarez’s 114-114 card drew scrutiny, with critics arguing Zepeda clearly won Rounds 2-5 and 7-8.
- Farmer’s corner protested a missed low blow warning in Round 9, but referee intervention was minimal.
Official Result
- Winner: William Zepeda via Majority Decision (114-114, 116-112, 115-113)
- Method: 12-round decision for WBC Interim Lightweight Championship
- Post-Fight Quotes:
- Zepeda: “This belt is for Mexico. Farmer’s a warrior, but I controlled the fight.”
- Farmer: “I won the championship rounds. Look at his face—he’s busted up. This ain’t right.”
Conclusion
Zepeda vs. Farmer 2 delivered a compelling mix of tactical nuance and raw aggression, cementing Zepeda as a lightweight force while casting Farmer into career crossroads. With the WBC now mandating Zepeda vs. Stevenson, the division’s future looks electrifying. For Farmer, a crossroads bout against a rising contender may determine whether this late-career resurgence has legs—or if the twilight beckons.
Fight Grade: 4.5/5 ⭐ (Action-packed, strategic, and narratively rich—a worthy title eliminator).
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