Philippines, 28 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ZEPEDA: I WANT MY FOURTH CHANCE AT A WORLD TITLE

PhilBoxing.com




'Chon' faces Smith for WBC Silver 140lbs Title in Sheffield

Jose Zepeda hopes that a big win over rising Super-Lightweight star Dalton Smith will springboard him towards a fourth shot at world honours.

The three-time World Title challenger from California, USA looks to inflict a first professional loss on Sheffield's Smith in an intriguing main event at the Utilita Arena this Saturday March 23 - live worldwide on DAZN.

Zepeda (37-4, 28 KOs) has twice challenged for gold at Super-Lightweight – falling short on points against Jose Carlos Ramirez for the WBC crown in 2019 before suffering an eleventh-round stoppage against Regis Prograis for the same title in November 2022.

'Chon' presents a significant step up in class for Smith - who has cleaned up the domestic 140lbs scene by capturing the British and Commonwealth Titles - and the experienced 34-year-old admits that he would consider retirement if he were to suffer defeat at the hands of 'Thunder'.

“This is going to be a hell of a fight," said Zepeda. "One thing we know; we have to win big. I have to win this fight. I’m still here because I want new opportunities. I want my fourth chance (at a World Title). I’m already 34-years-old; that’s why I’m taking hard fights. I want a hard fights, and I am planning my way back with this fight.

“I saw his record; I know he’s 15-0. I know he’s a big star in the UK. I think it’s a good chance for me to get back to the top. I know he’s good and he seems like a star over there in the UK. He’s energetic inside that ring. He likes to move and he’s kind of fast. I know he likes to come forwards to that’s going to make it a great fight. I do believe it’s going to be a great fight.

"We’re going to love the style. The winners here in this fight are going to be the fans. He’s going to have a hard fight in front of him. This is the first time he’s stepping up in the levels; so he’s going to find out that it’s not easy. It’s not easy to get in there.

“The UK fans, they love boxing - and I know they’re going to love the fight. It’s going to be a war in there because I know Dalton will bring it. I’m happy to go over there and I’m planning to win some new fans. At the end of the day they better cheer their guy up well afterwards because he’s going to need it."

Last time out in September, Zepeda was on the wrong side of a boxing masterclass from one of the USA's brightest emerging stars Richardson Hitchins. Undeterred by a shutout points loss, the southpaw jumped at the chance to step in the ring with another of the world's fast rising Super-Lightweight talents.

“It was a tough loss against Hitchins because I wanted to get back into the top ten," said Zepeda. "He is a talented fighter. I do believe he is going to be a champion. I could have taken an easy fight but that’s not going to get me anywhere. I want a hard fight so I can get back straight away into the top ten contenders in the 140lbs division.

“Richardson Hitchins was more like a move around. He doesn’t like to get hit. I know Dalton likes to come forwards so I think it’s going to be a great fight. If I win this fight it’s going to open my opportunities with Matchroom and that’s what I want. I want big opportunities. Experience is what has me here at this point. Three times I’ve fought for a World Title; I want my fourth opportunity.

“If I don’t win this fight most likely I’m probably going to retire. So, I’m training my hardest to make sure I don’t retire. If I don’t win this fight, then that means there’s no big fights for me afterwards. I’m planning on only being in big fights; so, I have to win this fight."

Zepeda vs. Smith headlines a huge night of action in Sheffield, Derby’s WBO Welterweight World Champion Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KOs) puts her gold on the line against Denaby Main’s two-division World Champion Terri Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs) in a huge domestic clash, it's Leeds against Darlington as Ishmael Davis (12-0, 6 KOs) and Troy Williamson (20-2-1, 14 KOs) meet in a Final Eliminator for the British Super-Welterweight Title, Hyde’s Campbell Hatton (14-0, 5 KOs) goes for his first title when he meets Doncaster’s James Flint (13-1-2, 3 KOs) for the Central Area Super-Lightweight Title, Mansfield's Nico Leivars (5-0-1) takes on Southend's Piotr Mirga (7-2) in a Final Eliminator for the English Bantamweight Title, Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Liam Cameron (22-5, 9 KOs) returns after his first-round win over Harry Matthews last month, Newham Super-Welterweight prospect Leli Buttigieg (2-0, 1 KO) fights for the second time this year and Cusworth Middleweight Connan Murray (6-0, 1 KO) kicks off the Before The Bell action.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “I’M ONLY GETTING BETTER”: CONFIDENT PAT McCORMACK PLOTS HUGE HOMECOMING WIN OVER MIGUEL PARRA TO SPARK WORLD TITLE CHARGE
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Heart of a Lion: 'Lucky Boy' Reymark Alicaba Earns Praise Despite Loss by Points in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Looks to be the First Fighter to Stop Dylan Carlson
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Shawn Darling Inducted into New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Arca wins 13th Mindanao Open chessfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Carzano rules FIDE-Rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Pythons-Primo wins 5 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes in Kadayawan judo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Crawford to Be Stripped of WBA Title Once He Climb the Ring to Fight Canelo
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Sebastian Juarez Remains Undefeated with Captivating 4th Round TKO Over Louis Hernandez
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Jajaira Gonzalez Prepared to Meet the Moment at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • 2 Division & Former Unified World Champion Juan Francisco Estrada Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 AUGUST 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Magpily rules PH National Women's Elimination - Luzon Leg
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Carlos De Leon Shines with 2nd Round TKO, Remains Undefeated on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 14
    , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • GM Daniel Quizon Wins 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Touchmove Open Invitational Rapid Chess Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Good Luck, Lucky Boy Reymark Alicaba!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Released
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Mapua EE wins Bowling B Championship, IM Datu leads Mapua Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.