No Running Allowed: Stevenson Faces Zepeda’s Aggression Under The Watchful Eye Of New York Fans

Eddie Hearn confirmed today that July 12th is the date for Shakur Stevenson to defend his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda on a Ring card in New York. Hearn says Shakur (23-0, 11 KOs) met with Turki Alalshikh this week in America, and they “worked everything out.”

Eddie says he’ll meet with Turki this week to discuss the Shakur-Zepeda fight for July 12th. This is the match that Stevenson has been calling for lately to create interest from fans for a unification clash between him and WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.

New York’s Patience Tested

Fighting Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) could backfire on Stevenson, as he’s going to force him to fight for the first time in his eight-year career. Zepeda cuts off the ring too well for Shakur to use his usual three-foot step-back style. If he chooses to run from Zepeda, he’s going to be booed out of the venue in New York on July 12th.

New Yorkers aren’t tolerant of runners. Newark natives are more patient in watching fighters that fail to engage like Shakur, but New York fans insist on seeing action and getting value for their money. They’ll let him know what they think of his hit-and-not-get-hit primitive style.

So, if Stevenson stays on the move for 12 rounds instead of standing and fighting the way Tevin Farmer did against Zepeda, he’s going to be booed loudly. Turki could live to regret using him for this fight because it’s a poor style matchup for the brittle, defensive-minded, non-engaging Stevenson. He’s better suited to fight light hitters like Josh Padley and Artem Harutyunyan.

“July 12th [for Stevenson vs. Zepeda]. They were going to do a show on a Monday night. I believe so,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to The Stomping Ground about the agreed-upon date for Shakur Stevenson to defend his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda.

Jersey Commute Blues

Hearn didn’t say whether Shakur-Zepeda will be an undercard fight or the headliner on the July 12th Ring card. It’s risky putting it as the main event because Zepeda’s fans are on the West Coast in the Los Angeles area, not New York. Stevenson is from New Jersey, and it’s unclear whether his fans would be willing to deal with the headaches involved in commuting to New York City

“I know that His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] met up with Shakur Stevenson this week in America,” said Hearn. “They worked everything out, which is great news. It’s a great fight, Shakur vs. Zepeda. We look forward to that. I know July 12th was always going to be a proposed Ring card in New York.

We’ll meet up with His Excellency on Tuesday to discuss that, and the 5v5 and all sorts. I’m also looking forward to welcoming him in town because it’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen him. When you see him, that’s when the magic happens. So, I’m looking forward to catching up to all those guys this week,” said Hearn.