Days after clinching the WBC lightweight title, William Zepeda touched down at Mexico City International Airport to a hero’s welcome as fans lined up to greet the new beltholder.
Zepeda, 34-1 (27 KOs), outpointed Lamont Roach Jnr in Las Vegas on Saturday in a largely dominant display to win by scores of 118-110 and two of 117-111 after 12 rounds of their battle for the vacant title.
It was the 30-year-old’s first action since being on the wrong end of similar tallies against Shakur Stevenson 13 months ago.
“The thing with Shakur was a test I couldn’t pass at the time,” Zepeda reflected. “It was an experience that made me humble, but we took the necessary time, came back stronger, worked on our weaknesses, and today we are world champions.”
Now the southpaw can enjoy the fruits of his labor. It was reported locally that the scenes marking the return of San Mateo Atenco’s Zepeda on Tuesday generated “excitement not seen in many years”.
As for what comes next, Zepeda said: “I don’t care who it is… I am going to beat them.”
