Manchester hero Terry Flanagan became WBO World Lightweight Champion after American star Jose Zepeda’s suffered a shock dislocated shoulder in the second round tonight at the Manchester Velodrome.
Flanagan is now the first ever English boxer in history to win a world title in the lightweight division and Manchester’s first world champion since Ricky Hatton.
“I was surprised really, I thought he’d be a lot bigger” said ‘Turbo’ after coming face to face with his opponent for the first time at today’s final presser.
Big punching American knock-out artist Jose Zepeda comes to Manchester on Saturday night in an attempt to win the vacant WBO lightweight strap when he fights hometown hero Terry Flanagan – who will be seeking to emulate fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton’s historic world title win against Kostya Tzsyu in the City, almost exactly 10 years to the day.
It’s sure to be a bear-pit atmosphere for the undefeated American, who boasts 20 KO wins in 23 contests, yet ahead of the fight, he spoke to iFLtv to insist he is more than ready to step up to the plate, and believes it will be he, and not Flanagan, who walks out with the title.
In 9 days time, “Turbo” Terry Flanagan will square off against big punching American knockout artist Jose Zepeda in Manchester for the WBO 135 lb title, live on Boxnation in the UK.
Scots Ken Buchanan, Jim Watt and Ricky Burns have held versions of the world 135 lb title, yet should Flanagan prevail he will become the first English fighter to do so.
Terry – who hails from Ancoats – is being backed by former world champion and fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton, who is confident he can do the business in front of his hometown fans on July 11th.