Expectations are high for the title fight because the fighters, both of whom are skillful, offensive minded and experienced, have track records of fast-paced, exciting wars.

Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) faces Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) for the vacant WBC lightweight title on Saturday at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the second show of “The Fight” series on DAZN and TNT (8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST).

“I have a bundle of skills,” Roach said at the final press conference on Thursday. “I have a ton of will, heart like a lion, and cajones like Godzilla. William Zepeda does as well. It's a hell of a clash. We can't wait to see how it turns out Saturday night.”

The opportunity to fight for the vacant title came after Shakur Stevenson was stripped of the belt in February after refusing to pay the $120,000 sanctioning fee for a 140-pound title fight, in which a WBC belt wasn’t on the line.

Roach, a former WBA 130-pound champion, has fought to consecutive majority draws. The first came in controversial fashion against then-WBA lightweight titleholder Gervonta Davis in March 2025. Had referee Steve Willis ruled Davis taking a knee in the ninth round as a knockdown, Roach would have won by decision.

The 30-year-old from Washington, D.C., then moved up to junior welterweight and fought former 140-pound titleholder Isaac Cruz in his last fight on Dec. 6, which also ended with no winner. Roach’s last victory was an eighth-round stoppage of Feargal McCrory in his only title defense in June 2024.

Zepeda’s lone world title bid was a unanimous decision loss against Stevenson in July 2025. The 30-year-old Mexican, had his moments early with his pressure and relentless punch output, but the slick southpaw eventually proved to be too skillful and took over in the second half.

Zepeda’s last win was a majority decision victory over former 130-pound world titleholder Tevin Farmer in their rematch in March 2025.

When the offer came to face Zepeda, The Ring’s No. 3-ranked lightweight, Roach couldn't say no because he can become a two-division world champion. Plus, he likes the idea of testing himself against the pressure-fighting southpaw.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to fight one of the best fighters in the weight class for so long,” Roach said. “Zepeda has been the No. 1 contender in a few sanctioning bodies, and that's something that we paid attention to. Once the opportunity came to fight for the WBC world championship, of course, I said yes.”