Zepeda leveraged tremendous footwork, distance, range, feints, jabs, counter-punching ability and punch placement in addition to his typical hard-charging style to beat Roach.

"My defense, punching power, boxing intelligence – it was totally different," Zepeda said on the WBC's podcast. "I showed Roach I can be smart; I showed him I have good defense. He didn't land as many punches. I showed him I know how to move in and out. He respected my punching power because he didn't let the exchanges end. So, I think we completely changed everything there.

"I had seen Roach's fights. I knew what I had to do, but now I did a job … With opposing stances, him being right-handed and me being a southpaw, I knew it would be much easier for me to work on the jab against a right-handed boxer. So I said, 'That's where he's going.' That was the key. It was something that really helped me. As soon as he felt my strong cross working against his straight punch, I neutralized that weapon."

The trademark pressure of Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) kept Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs) on the back foot as he controlled the action and cruised to a decisive victory. Zepeda outlanded Roach 218-153 and unleashed 884 punches – 293 more than his opponent – according to CompuBox.

"Besides knowing I had to change my boxing style, I had to change the game intelligently, maintaining the pressure, but also moving in, changing angles, and that was something that also neutralized him because he didn't know what to do," Zepeda said.

"No [I wasn't looking for the knockout]. I knew Roach is a very brave, very strong fighter, and that he was unlikely to land a knockout. If at some point I expected him to land those body shots, well, it would happen little by little, but my main intention was to win round after round and impose my rhythm."

With the win, "Camaron" Zepeda moved up to No. 3 in The Ring's lightweight rankings. For now, the 30-year-old from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, can enjoy the realization of a lifelong goal.

"I was completely overwhelmed, but I was very happy to know that I was seeing this win," Zepeda said. "I felt a great thrill as soon as they gave me the belt because it was something I had dreamed about for so long. And I would go to sleep with that dream, that image of knowing that one day, I would experience this. It's a very beautiful feeling of satisfaction."