WHEN it was announced that William Zepeda would delay his title challenge against Shakur Stevenson and instead take on Tevin Farmer last year, boxing fans around the globe let out a collective sigh of disappointment.
Yet, Farmer, 33-7-1 (8 KOs), would go on to provide the Mexican with his toughest fight to date, leaving fans clamouring for the rematch after the former IBF super-featherweight world champion was trumped by Zepeda, 32-0 (27 KOs), only by a razor-tight split decision.Â
Now the pair are set to collide for a second time, as Zepeda seeks a more convincing victory ahead of his seemingly inevitable meeting with Stevenson later this year.
Here, Boxing News looks at both how he could achieve such a statement win and how Farmer could spoil those plans.
WILLIAM ZEPEDA – KEYS TO VICTORYÂ
VOLUME
It is no secret that the success of William Zepeda, and his style, is largely down to his tremendous output.
The Mexican sticks out as perhaps the most definitive volume puncher in the sport today, so much so that he famously broke the record for the most punches thrown in a lightweight contest when he threw 1,536 blows against Joseph Diaz in 2022.
Zepeda had not gone the distance since that clash, and scored four straight stoppage wins prior to going ten rounds with Farmer. In that fight, he threw a total of 778 shots according to CompuBox stats, albeit in two rounds less than he fought against Diaz.
Once again, Zepeda will need to maintain his constant pressure and swarm Farmer to make it a ‘William Zepeda fight’, encouraging an all-action contest that would benefit his gas tank and open the door for a stoppage in the second half of the bout.
RIGHT HOOK TO THE BODY
As a converted southpaw, the right hand of ‘Camaron’ is actually his strongest, hence why the undefeated WBC interim champion is often keen to keep the fight up close.Â
Though his record suggests he is one of strongest punchers in the division, many of his knockouts have come as a result of his fabled output, grinding opponents down and often digging them to the body with the right hook.
With Farmer boasting a solid chin that has seen him go twelve-and-a-half years without being stopped, it is unlikely that Zepeda will be able to score a one-punch knockout against the American, and any chance of a win without the judges’ intervention will likely come by outlasting Farmer and investing in body shots from the get-go.
HEAD MOVEMENT
As with many of his countrymen, defence is and never has been at the forefront of Zepeda’s plans, but his lack of head movement is certainly a cause for concern that will leave power-punchers in the division licking their chops.
Against Farmer, Zepeda was dropped for the first time in his career when caught with a counter straight left hand, yet Farmer’s lack of punch power as a 135 pounder let him off the hook.
In their rematch, it would be encouraging to see Zepeda show signs that he has worked on keeping his head off the centre line, preparing him for future fights against more consequential punchers.
TEVIN FARMER – KEYS TO VICTORY
DICTATE THE TEMPO
Simply put, the way for Tevin Farmer to go one better this time around, and hand Zepeda a first career defeat, is by using his experience to control the tempo and geography of the contest.
In terms of pure boxing, Farmer possesses the superior skills, with his timing, defence and comfortability whilst under pressure being the standout attributes that make him an issue for Zepeda. Yet, those assets will count for little if Zepeda is able to charge at him and win rounds as a result of his unrelenting pressure.
Instead, we believe Farmer would be better suited to fight on the back foot and try to slow the home fighter down, possibly needing to land a big shot early doors to discourage Zepeda from his usual careless, frivolous and undeterrable front-footed approach.
IN-AND-OUT
Similarly, Farmer should refrain from getting drawn into a phone booth brawl, despite the attraction of appeasing the onlookers on Mexican soil.
Boasting the better footwork, Farmer should avoid getting greedy and instead dart out of range after landing two or three-punch combinations, rather than going hunting for more and putting himself at risk.
CATCH AND SHOOT
Finally, Farmer’s Mayweather-esque slip and counter saw Zepeda hit the deck in their first encounter – and Farmer should certainly seek similar opportunities here.
Although the output of Zepeda is understandably perceived as his greatest weapon, it could also prove to be his downfall, as it provides the speedy Farmer with numerous chances to catch or slip a punch and respond immediately.
Even if the Philadelphia-born underdog may lack the power to bring the bout to a close, Zepeda often throws punches whilst he is off-balance, and Farmer could capitalize to score numerous knockdowns if he gets his shot selection and timing right.
Zepeda-Farmer 2 takes place in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday night, topping a bill that also features WBO minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo, 11-0 (8 KOs), and can be watched live on DAZN.
