“Zepeda was never stopped, but I think I can do it. I think I can do it,” Roach said during an interview with Brian Custer.
Roach enters the fight coming off back-to-back draws against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz. He said these results convinced him that he should leave less in the hands of the judges.
“We’ve just got to step it up. We’ve got to start punishing these guys even more and stepping on the gas in certain cases to close the deal or even get him out of there,” Roach said.
The prediction stands out because Zepeda has built its reputation on relentless pressure, high punch output and durability. The undefeated Mexican has never been stopped and has consistently worn down opponents in the second half of fights.
Roach, meanwhile, typically relied on timing, movement and combination punches rather than one-punch power. His biggest wins have come through boxing skill, making his confidence in stopping Zepeda one of the more notable claims from the interview.
Despite the challenge ahead, Roach spent much of the conversation discussing potential fights after Aug. 1. He mentioned possible bouts with Shakur Stevenson, Gary Antuanne Russell, Keyshawn Davis and Richardson Hitchins, while also saying he believes a win over Zepeda would move him into pound-for-pound conversations and bolster his Hall of Fame credentials.
Before any of those opportunities can happen, Roach must first resolve one of the lightweight division’s toughest style matchups. Zepeda’s relentless pressure and volume have made him one of boxing’s most entertaining fighters, and Roach believes he has the answer.
“I really want to put a punch on him. Either way, whether it’s life or death, whether it’s a boxing lesson, or whether I knock him out in the first round, I’m raising my hand,” Roach said.
