In his first shot at the WBC lightweight title, Zepeda had his moments but fell short against Shakur Stevenson, losing by unanimous decision in July 2025. After Stevenson was stripped of the title in February, Zepeda had a chance to redeem himself against Lamont Roach Jr. on Saturday

Zepeda didn’t let the second shot slip through his grasp, as he won a one-sided unanimous decision over Roach to become the WBC lightweight champion at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on DAZN and TNT. The relentless southpaw from San Mateo Atenco, México, noted the improvements he had made since his loss to Stevenson and believes that caught Roach by surprise.

“I think it definitely made a difference in the outcome,” Zepeda said via translator in his post-fight media scrum. “Lamont thought I was just going to be that one-dimensional fighter. We had a couple of things in our repertoire. I think that definitely made the difference.”

Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs), a former WBA 130-pound champion, credited Zepeda, 30, for his preparation and ability to execute his game plan.

“Zepeda was well prepared tonight,” Roach said in his post-fight interview. “Him and his team, they had a tremendous game plan and he put it into place. No excuses. I take my hat off to they team. He was just one step ahead of me.”

Zepeda’s pressure and volume punching were still present, but he fought like a vastly improved and more calculated version of himself. His ability to use angles and footwork along with his overwhelming attack kept him in control and left Roach, 30, without many answers.

Through nine rounds, Zepeda had already landed more punches than any opponent had against Roach in a fight, according to the broadcast. Zepeda outlanded the Washington, D.C., native 218 to 153, according to CompuBox.

Zepeda, The Ring’s No. 3-ranked lightweight, credited the nearly 13-month layoff for allowing him to be a refreshed version of himself and added that the loss to Stevenson showed where he needed to improve.

“Against Shakur was an exam I couldn’t pass,” Zepeda said in his post-fight interview with Sergio Mora translating. “It was humbling. We took the time, came back stronger, worked on the weaknesses and came back. Now, we’re champion.”

With a world title in tow, Zepeda has his sights on unification bouts. Raymond Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs), The Ring’s No. 2-ranked lightweight, retained his IBF title with a unanimous decision over Robson Conceicao in the co-main event, but said he plans to move up to 140 pounds for his next fight.

Abdullah Mason (21-0, 18 KOs), The Ring’s No. 4-ranked lightweight, holds the WBO lightweight title. The WBA ordered Floyd Schofield (19-0, 13 KOs), The Ring’s No. 6-ranked lightweight, and Lucas Bahdi (20-0, 15 KOs), The Ring’s No. 8-ranked lightweight, to fight for its vacant title, and scheduled a purse bid for August 11.

“I want to become undisputed,“ Zepeda said. “I don’t care who it is or when it is. Put them in front of me, and I’m going to beat them.”