William Zepeda, Lamont Roach Set to Fight for Vacant WBC Lightweight Title

The WBC has not yet confirmed the bout following Shakur Stevenson’s removal as champion

Lamont Roach is expected to face William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title. The matchup surfaced after Shakur Stevenson was removed as champion earlier this year.

Mexico’s Erika Montoya reported that William Zepeda and Lamont Roach are being positioned to fight for the belt after the WBC stripped Shakur Stevenson earlier this year. The sanctioning body has not released a formal announcement confirming the bout, though the report moved quickly across boxing media and social platforms as the lightweight title picture continues to sort itself out.

Zepeda enters the proposed fight as one of the lightweight division’s most active contenders. His recent outings have kept him near the top of the WBC rankings while the title situation at 135 pounds has shifted in recent months.

Roach comes in after a run of high-profile fights at lightweight. The Washington, D.C. native fought to two twelve-round draws, including a widely watched meeting with Gervonta Davis. He also challenged Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight belt last July in Queens, New York, dropping a unanimous decision after twelve rounds in a fight that placed him among the division’s regular challengers.

Even without a victory in those recent appearances, Roach is now in line for another opportunity if the fight with Zepeda is finalized.

The reported matchup has drawn attention because interim champion Jadier Herrera had been widely viewed as a leading candidate to fight for the vacant belt, though the WBC has not publicly explained why the sanctioning body would move forward with Zepeda and Roach instead of elevating its interim titleholder.

If confirmed, the fight would give Zepeda the first full world title opportunity of his career. Zepeda enters the situation with a 31-0 record and 27 knockouts, while Roach, 25-1-2 with 10 knockouts, would receive another chance to compete for a lightweight championship.

Details regarding the date, venue, and official sanctioning confirmation have not yet been announced by the WBC or the fighters’ teams.