William Zepeda Set To Battle Maxi Hughes In IBF/WBA Lightweight Eliminator

In a 12-round eliminator for the IBF and WBA Lightweight World Championships, lightweight William Zepeda will take on Maxi Hughes, the former IBO World Champion, who is also an English fighter.The event is slated to take place at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday, March 16.

Boxing fans’ hearts and minds have been won over by William Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs)a 27-, who has easily defeated his challenging opponents. Against former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in October 2022, he turned in a standout performance, breaking three CompuBox records at lightweight. He last appeared over Mexican Independence Weekend of last year, when he defeated Mercito Gesta, a tenacious former world title contender.

“I am excited for this big challenge ahead of me, and being one step closer to accomplishing my dream of becoming a world champion,” said Zepeda in media reports.

“Maxi Hughes is a grand fighter, and I can’t wait to face him in the ring on March 16 and represent my humble hometown of San Mateo Atenco on the world’s stage. I know Golden Boy wants to bring big fights back to Las Vegas, the capital of boxing, and I want to be part of that – I want to be crowned a World Champion in Vegas,” he added.

“Zepeda is a wrecking ball every time he steps into the ring — and with a title shot hanging in the balance, fans are going to be in for an offensive barrage from “El Camaron,” said Oscar De La Hoya chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.

After making his professional boxing debut on September 17, 2010, Hughes(26-6-2, 5 KOs) from United Kingdom climbed the ranks fast, amassing a collection of regional titles including the WBC International Lightweight title, the BBBofC Featherweight title, the WBO European Lightweight title, and the WBC International Super Featherweight title. He defeated Jovanni Straffon to win the IBO Lightweight World Championship in 2021, a title he successfully defended twice. His last known appearance came in July 2023, when he bravely faced up against George Kambosos Jr.

“My last fight in the U.S., the judges broke my heart. I won’t let them derail my career. I’m coming back stateside with the bit between my teeth. Zepeda hasn’t fought anyone like me before,” said Maxi Hughes in media reports.