Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) and his longtime trainer Jay “Panda” Najar recognize the challenge Roach presents.

The all-action Mexican contender gets a second chance to win the WBC lightweight title, facing the former WBA 130-pound titleholder (25-1-3, 10 KOs) on Saturday for the vacant belt at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The fight headlines the second installment of “The Fight” series on DAZN and TNT (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT/1 a.m. BST).

“That’s a bad mother------,“ Najar said at Thursday's final press conference. “He's a bad, bad boy. I know that he's coming to fight, and we got a hell of a fight on our hands.”

Shakur Stevenson was stripped of his WBC 135-pound title 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.

Stevenson outpointed Zepeda during his last appearance in July 2025.

The southpaw had his moments in the early rounds as a result of his pressure and ability to trap Stevenson on the ropes, but the pound-for-pound star's superior skill set eventually allowed him to take over.

Zepeda, The Ring’s No. 3 lightweight, last had his hand raised four months earlier. That's when he defeated former 130-pound world titleholder Tevin Farmer by a 12-round majority decision in their rematch.

Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs), also 30, enters Saturday's title fight after consecutive majority draws in fights many believe he deserved to win.

Those came against then-WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in March 2025 and Isaac Cruz after moving up to 140 pounds. Had referee Steve Willis ruled Davis taking a knee in the ninth round as a knockdown, Roach would have won by decision.

Roach’s last win came in June 2024, stopping Feargal McCrory in eight rounds to retain his WBA 130-pound belt.

The build-up to Saturday has been respectful, with neither fighter seeking to engage in a war of words. Zepeda said he and his opponent are aware of what the other is capable of, and what lies ahead on fight night.

“We know Lamont,” Zepeda said through a translator. “He's respectful outside the ring, but when he's inside that ring, he's a monster. He's a beast, and I'm the same way. It's going to be a war on Saturday.”