Trainer Jay “Panda” Najar is targeting the biggest and best fights for his fighter, William Zepeda.
According to Najar, bouts versus Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta “Tank” Davis are ones that could catapult Zepeda’s career. The Mexican-based coach says his top priority would be for his charge to face Ukraine’s Lomachenko, the three-division titlist who currently holds the IBF lightweight belt.
“I would probably like Lomachenko just because of the name he’s had, just because of what he’s done in boxing history,” Najar told BoxingScene.
For now, the undefeated Zepeda, 28, 31-0 (27 KOs), will have to settle for former IBF junior lightweight belt-holder Tevin Farmer, who he faces on Nov. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Farmer fight will be Zepeda’s third this year following stoppage wins over Maxi Hughes and Giovanni Cabrera in March and July respectively.
Prior to the Farmer announcement, Team Zepeda negotiated a potential bout versus undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. However, Zepeda wanted to wait until at least November to fight as he was expecting to become a father before then. Stevenson decided to go ahead and fight Joe Cordina on October 12 with the prospect of fighting Zepeda early next year. That Cordina fight is now off as Stevenson sustained injuries to his right hand during a sparring session. It’s possible Stevenson will head directly into a Zepeda fight next year, provided the latter is to come away with a win on November 16.
Another matchup Najar would welcome is against undefeated WBA boss Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Davis, a three-division champion widely considered among the best fighters in the world, represents the holy grail for Najar.
“We’re interested in all of the fights. We’re interested in whatever opportunity is given to us. Gervonta Davis is the big name at that weight division. So, we’re just looking for him to give us an opportunity,” said Najar.
Najar hailed Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) for his devastating performances over the years and cautioned that Zepeda would need a great game plan to topple him.
“It’s a very tough fight. It’s a strong fight where we have to be very careful against a fighter who gives up rounds and finishes his opponents in a devastating manner. So, we have to be very careful. We have to make a great game plan, have great sparring. But, I think it’s a very tough fight for both fighters.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
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