Coming off back-to-back majority draws against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz, Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs) hoped to become a two-division world champion. Instead, he spent much of the evening trying to slow one of boxing’s busiest offensive fighters.
Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) established the pace almost immediately, cutting off the ring with intelligent footwork and forcing Roach backward behind a nonstop attack. The Mexican southpaw mixed head and body shots while maintaining the high punch output that has become his trademark, rarely allowing Roach enough time to set his feet for counters.
“Shakur gave me a great test. I think he gave me a great exam. During the year I was out of the ring, we worked on what we were missing,” said Zepeda to DAZN after the fight. “We implemented some new things tonight, but we still have to keep growing to stay among the elite.”
Single counters produced Roach’s best moments, but the openings disappeared quickly. Zepeda stepped back inside after nearly every exchange, keeping the pressure on before Roach could put together extended combinations.
Clean counters continued to land in spots, yet Zepeda answered by pushing the action and backing Roach toward the ropes. There were no knockdowns, though the pattern changed little over the second half of the fight as Roach searched for openings while moving backward.
“We thought he was a one-trick pony. He actually used his feet. He was stepping back and not allowing me to get my counters off,” said Roach on what went wrong against Zepeda. “He did it the whole fight. I had to switch a couple things up, but I just didn’t succeed.”
Repeated body shots gradually slowed Roach’s movement, allowing Zepeda to remain in punching range for much of the fight.
