Lamont Roach Told To ‘Take The Judges Out Of It’ Against William Zepeda

Bradley says Roach cannot afford another razor-close fight when he challenges William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title

Tim Bradley believes Lamont Roach needs a different approach against William Zepeda on August 1. The former champion warned that Roach cannot afford another close fight against a pressure fighter whose workrate could influence the judges over 12 rounds.

“In this fight, you got to create more separation. Your fights be too close, man,” Bradley said on his YouTube channel. “You competing, but you not competing to win. You just there, bro.

“You got to take these dudes out, man. That’s what you got to do. You got to take the judges out of it.”

Bradley also urged Roach to increase his activity against Zepeda’s high-volume attack.

“You got to be more active than you have been in your last couple of fights. That’s how you gonna get this done,” Bradley said. “Some judges like guys that are busier than the other guy. They just throwing shots, and whether it lands or not, they just throwing punches.”

Roach, 25-1-3 (10 KOs), enters the bout following a series of closely contested fights. He fought Gervonta Davis to a draw in March and later battled Isaac Cruz to a split draw. Prior to those bouts, Roach earned a split decision victory over Hector Garcia.

Zepeda, 33-1 (27 KOs), is coming off the lone defeat of his career, a unanimous decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in July 2025. The Mexican pressure fighter remained competitive throughout the contest and now gets another opportunity to secure a world title.

Zepeda has built his reputation on constant pressure and high punch output. The Mexican earned the opportunity to fight for the vacant WBC title after Shakur Stevenson moved on from the belt.

The winner of the August 1 clash will emerge as the new WBC lightweight champion and potentially position himself for major fights in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.