Oscar de la Hoya says the high output, pressure and body sponge that William Zepeda is doing will be too much for WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to resist, and he will be knocked out or lost a decision on Saturday night in Queens, New York.
Zepeda’s pressure: Stevenson’s downfall?
De la Hoya notes that Stevenson (23-0, 11 COs) has a mayweather-like fighting style. He sees Zepeda (33-0, 27 COs) similar to Jose Luis Castillo, a fighter who gave an excellent Mayweather, fits his pressure in their two fights. Many people believe that Castillo deserved to win the first one but lost.
Oscar believes the key to beating the Mayweather-Esque style that Shakur has is with pressure, uninterrupted punch and the body target. Although Stevenson will run, he cannot do it all night without occasionally getting caught up and being forced to fight.
Shakur is a slower version of Mayweather if you take away his hand speed and delay its movement by 50%. He hits about half as fast as Floyd, but he has never been known for his speed. This is Shakur’s accuracy. This is going to be his first true test of his career, because he has never fought anyone A level in any of the weight classes he fought with, also at Lightweight.
“Shakur Stevenson, what type of fighter is he? Just like Floyd Mayweather. He knows how to box, has beautiful footwork and stands upright. He uses the shoulder roll,” Oscar de la Hoya said Millcity BoxingAnalyze the fight against Shakur against William Zepeda.
Shakur is a poor man’s version of Mayweather. He is not in the same league in any section to the Floyd that Castillo fought twice. Stevenson’s primary defense is his step back, which is a three-step. He moves not only his opponent, but also his own ability to land.
Beat the “money” style
“Guess what? Floyd Mayweather (should have) lost to Jose Luis Castillo, reminding me of William Zepeda, but throwing more bumps,” says De la Hoya. “Think about this. Floyd had brittle hands. Shakur Stevenson has brittle hands. If William Zepeda continues to come forward, throwing bumps, it is very careful with side to side and keeps on throwing the stab. ‘
Shakur will have to be prepared to throw many head shots for him to keep Zepeda off because it won’t be enough to tap and run. He has to throw a lot of shots and hope he can hurt him.
“This shell here can’t block a stabbing block. Throw toward the body, throw at the chest. Pinn him in the corner and just keep throwing blows in clusters. William Zepeda probably has the best returns in boxing,” says De La Hoya.
“I got William Zepeda at a ruling or even a stop to Shakur Stevenson. I love Shakur Stevenson
Last updated on 07/10/2025
