William Zepeda vs Lamont Roach Jr. Preview August 1st, 2026
The vacant WBC Lightweight Title is up for grabs in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday, August 1st when William Zepeda of Mexico battles it out with Lamont Roach of Washington, DC. The 12-round battle can be seen on DAZN as well as TNT and Tru TV. Zepeda last saw action 12 months ago when he dropped a unanimous decision to Shakur Stevenson in a shot at the WBC Lightweight Belt for his lone pro defeat. In his previous outing four months earlier, Zepeda beat Tevin Farmer by majority decision in a rematch to retain the WBC Interim Lightweight Crown. The two had met just a few months earlier with Zepeda claiming the interim belt via a 10-round split decision. Roach’s last fight resulted in a 12-round draw with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ in an attempt at the WBC Interim Junior Welterweight Belt. In his previous bout nine months earlier, Roach battled to a controversial 12-round draw with Gervonta Davis in a fight many believe he should have won.
Zepeda vs Roach Jr. Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- William Zepeda +117
- Lamont Roach Jr -150
My Pick
The 30-year-old Zepeda is a southpaw who climbs into the ring with a mark of 33-1 with 27 Ko’s. He’s obviously made a name for himself due to his impressive power as 81.8 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. He went the distance in his last three outings though; both fights against Farmer and against Stevenson, but has boxed until the final bell just seven times in total as a pro. He was also dropped in the fourth round of the first battle with Farmer. Zepeda’s boxed 172 rounds since making his pro debut in 2015 following his amateur career which saw him fight in the World Series of Boxing.
Zepeda also went the distance in wins over former world champions Rene Alvarado and Joseph Diaz. He stepped up in class for the first time in those fights in 2022 and beat Diaz by a wide 12-round unanimous decision and Alvarado by a 10-round unanimous nod. His biggest wins before those came against the likes of Jose Fierros, Jesus Zazueta, Jose Rosales and Roberto Ramirez. After beating Alvarado and Diaz he also halted Jaime Arboleda, Mercito Gesta, Maxi Hughes and Giovanni Cabrera.
Since turning pro, Zepeda also won the vacant WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title in 2021 when he stopped Hector Tanajara after six rounds and defended it once by halting John Vincent Moralde in four rounds. He also captured the vacant WBF Mexican Lightweight Title and the vacant WBC Fecarbox Silver Lightweight Crown. Zepeda stands 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 69.5-inch reach which gives him a two-inch edge in height over Roach Stevenson as well as 1.5-inches in reach.
Roach Jr. is also 30 years old with a record of 25-1-3 with 10 Ko’s and has boxed 196 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. He measures 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 68-inch reach. He isn’t a power puncher or KO artist by any means as just 40 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in eight of his past 11 bouts. Roach has been boxing since he was nine years old and had a fine amateur career with more than 100 victories, reportedly going 125-15.
He was named the most outstanding American boxer in 2013 by USA Boxing when he won the National Golden Gloves Title in the 132 lb division. He’s also a five-time Ringside World Champion, the 2011 National PAL Champion and a two-time Junior National Golden Gloves Champion. Since turning pro his best wins have been against Feargal McCrory, Rene Alvarado, Jonathan Oquendo, Alberto Mercado, Rey Perez, Luis Hinojosa and Alejandro Valdez.
As a pro he’s also won the vacant WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Crown with the win over Valdez as well as the vacant WBO International, NABF, and WBO NABO Super Featherweight Belts. Roach Jr’s first of three draws was a 10-round affair with Orlando Cruz in April of 2018 for the vacant WBO International Title. His lone defeat came at the hands of Jamel Herring via a unanimous decision in November, 2019 in a shot at the WBO Super Featherweight Title.
Prediction…
Zepeda certainly has more power than Roach and lets his hands go more often but Roach has the better boxing skills. And so far in his career, Zepeda has struggled against skilful boxers such as Farmer and Stevenson. Roach is a slight betting favourite here due to his performances against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz, which were both controversial draws. Zepeda tries to make every fight a brawl due to his aggressive volume-punching nature and if he sticks to those tactics he may succeed because he isn’t going to outbox Roach. Both boxers should have their moments but I think Zepeda will throw and connect with just enough leather to take the title in a fight that could really go either way
I think Zepeda’s nonstop punching will decide it.
Play: Zepeda +117 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Lamont Roach Jr. betting • William Zepeda betting • William Zepeda Segura betting