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.
He said of his preparations;
“I’m feeling great, we had a tremendous camp, we’re ready for this fight, I know Terry Flanagan’s gonna be ready and I hope the fans love the fight. I think they will.”
Obviously, carrying such heavy hands, there is a focus on Zepeda’s power, yet it is worth noting this will be his first trip down at 135 lbs, having been up at 140 and 147 for most of his career. Will the power still be there if he’s dead at the weight? It is surely a pertinent question, yet Zepeda doesn’t believe focusing on the power is necessarily the right thing to do, insisting things flow naturally;
“I have never looked for the knockout in any of my fights, the knockout comes by itself. My main point is to win the fight round by round, and if the knockout comes by itself it does, if it doesn’t then I’m ready for Flanagan’s style and a full 12 rounds.”
“I’ve seen a little of him. A couple of rounds. He’s a good boxer, he’s 27-0 for a reason, so I’m looking for a good fight, looking forward to a good fight.”
Flanagan vs Zepeda is live on Boxnation in the UK.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
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MANCHESTER VELODROME RUNNING ORDER
Doors Open: 17:30
Fight # 1 – 17:40 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Bantamweight Contest
KALLUM DE’ATH vs. ELEMIR RAFAEL
Fight # 2
8 X 3 Minute International Rounds Light-Welterweight Contest
STEVEN LEWIS vs. JABA SHALUTASHVILI
Fight # 3
6 X 3 Minute Rounds International Lightweight Contest
JOE COSTELLO vs. KRZYSTOF SZOT
Fight # 4
10 X 3 Minute Rounds International Heavyweight Contest
ALEXANDER USTINOV vs. TRAVIS WALKER
Fight # 5
8 X 3 Minute Rounds Lightweight Contest
TOM STALKER vs. TOMMY CARUS
Fight # 6 – 20:50 hrs
THE WBO INTERCONTINENTAL LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
10 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 140 lbs
JACK CATTERALL vs. GABRIEL CALFIN
Fight # 7 – 21:40 hrs
10 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Flyweight Contest
PAUL BUTLER vs. GUSTAVO MOLINA
Fight # 8 – 22:30 hrs
THE VACANT WBO WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 135 lbs
TERRY FLANAGAN vs. JOSE ZEPEDA
Fight # 9 – Follow On
THE VACANT WBO INTERCONTINENTAL LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 135 lbs
LIAM WALSH vs. ISAIAS SANTOS SAMPAIO
Fight # 10 – Follow On
8 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Featherweight Contest
ADRIAN GONZALEZ vs. GUYULLA TALLOSI
FLOATER
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Middleweight Contest
MaCAULEY McGOWAN vs. DANNY LYTTLE
FLOATER
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest
JOHN KAYS vs. MICHAEL STUPART
