His comeback continues Saturday, August 29, against Juan Manuel Cordoba in Hermosillo, Mexico. Cordoba has a 7-1 record and has never fought anyone close to Berchelt’s former level. Beating him would extend the winning streak without demonstrating that Berchelt belongs among the leading contenders at 135 pounds.
Berchelt recently told Mexican media that he hoped Zepeda would give him an opportunity. The two previously sparred when Berchelt was preparing to defend his super featherweight title against Takashi Miura.
“Hopefully he does me the favor. I’m going to buy my lottery ticket, and I’ll light a candle so Zepeda notices me,” Berchelt said in comments published by Izquierdazo.
Boxing writer Francisco Salazar rejected the idea of Berchelt moving from Cordoba directly into a championship fight.
“Berchelt could want that fight with Zepeda all he wants. Zepeda has the mandatory against Jadier Herrera. Berchelt would need to fight better opposition than the one he’s facing Saturday. Yes, it would be a very bad look for any commission to sanction that type of fight,” Salazar posted on X.
Berchelt Needs A Ranked Lightweight
Salazar’s objection is difficult to dispute. Berchelt’s name and past championship run cannot replace recent results against credible lightweights.
The 34-year-old has not defeated a ranked contender since moving to 135 pounds. His comeback has allowed him to regain activity and collect victories in Mexico, but it has not shown how much he has left against a serious opponent. Cordoba will not provide that answer.
Low-risk matchmaking initially served a purpose. After consecutive stoppage losses, Berchelt needed opponents who would allow him to regain confidence and remain active without immediately exposing him to defeat. Four years later, that rebuilding stage has run its course. Continuing to beat lesser fighters may preserve his winning streak, but it gives the WBC no competitive reason to rank him or Zepeda a financial reason to select him.
A championship callout does not require Berchelt to defeat another titleholder first. He does need one credible lightweight win. Facing a fringe top-15 contender would test his conditioning, power and ability to handle stronger opposition at 135 pounds. Until he takes that step, the Cordoba fight belongs to the rebuilding portion of his career rather than a title elimination campaign.
Zepeda also has an existing obligation. WBC interim champion Jadier Herrera was passed over when Zepeda and Lamont Roach competed for the vacant championship. Herrera is now due the first opportunity against Zepeda.
Moving an unranked Berchelt ahead of Herrera would be difficult to defend. Berchelt was once an excellent champion at 130 pounds, but past title status does not earn him a new shot five years after losing the belt.
