Jose Zepeda Tries For Third Time To Be World Champ
Jose Zepeda has had two opportunities to fight for a world title but lost both times, the only defeats of his career. Now he has a third title shot at hand and hopes, as the old adage goes, the third time’s the charm.
He will square off with fellow southpaw Regis Prograis for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title in the main event of a pay-per-view card being put on by Legendz Entertainment and MarvNation Promotions on Saturday (9 p.m. ET) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The card is available via traditional linear television pay-per-view as well as streaming outlets such as FITE and PPV. com.
Fight Of The Year Week @ChonZepeda 🥊 Vs @RPrograis 🥊 By Way Of @Marvnation_ This Saturday #EveryFighterHasAVoice #TheFightersVoice #TheOnlyVoiceThatMatters #TU4R 👍🏼👍🏼 @RGMPROMO pic.twitter.com/xmMYVigQe3
— THE FIGHTER’S VOICE (@FightersVoice_) November 21, 2022
“This is a third time fighting for a world title for me and that’s why I keep saying this is the time for me to get my world title belt,” Zepeda said this week. “I have all the experience I need. Regis Prograis is going to be fighting the best version of Jose Zepeda. I really believe it’s now or never.”
Zepeda’s Previous Title Shots
In 2015, Zepeda traveled to Terry Flanagan’s hometown of Manchester, England to challenge him for the WBO lightweight title but lost by second-round knockout due to a dislocated left shoulder.
In February 2019, he challenged then-WBC titlist Jose Ramirez and lost a majority decision that many believed Zepeda rightfully won.
Since that defeat, Zepeda has scored three notable wins. He outpointed former two-division titleholder Jose Pedraza; knocked out former junior welterweight titlist Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round of the wild 2020 fight of the year in which they were both knocked down four times; and went to Jose Vargas’ backyard in New York and knocked him out in the first round in his last bout 13 months ago.
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Zepeda and Ramirez were ordered to meet in a rematch for the vacant belt but Ramirez opted out due to his wedding plans and Prograis got the spot in the fight with the winner owing Ramirez a mandatory fight next.
Whomever Zepeda (35-2, 27 KOs), 33, was going to fight for the 140-pound belt, he didn’t really care. But the La Puente, California, resident is pleased he will be able to face Prograis in front of what figures to be a pro-Zepeda crowd.
“It’s nice to fight for the world title at home,” Zepeda said. “I’m always fighting on the road. It’s extra motivation for me to fight in my backyard. It’s going to be a great night for boxing. I’ve heard it all before that I’m not going to win certain fights but my track record speaks for itself.”
Prograis Wants To Be Champ Again
Former WBA titlist Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs), 33, of New Orleans, has won three fights in a row by knockout since losing a majority decision in a 2019 unification fight to Josh Taylor and is the clear favorite against Zepeda, who is confident in his ability.
“Prograis is going to be very surprised by my power and speed.” Zepeda said. “We’re both going to fight the way we’ve been fighting. He hits hard, I hit hard and both of us are desperate to win, which will make for a great fight. Both of us have a lot of heart and we both are looking for a real fight to settle this. I had two previous opportunities to win a world title and I truly believe this is the best version of me for this fight.”
Also, watch our BetUS betting preview of Zepeda-Prograis here:
