After enduring criticism for a few unexciting fights recently, Shakur Stevenson vowed to adopt a more aggressive approach in his WBC lightweight title match against William Zepeda. In a thrilling showdown held at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, Stevenson delivered on his promise, winning by unanimous decision after a relentless twelve rounds.

Zepeda, celebrated for his forward-moving fighting style and relentless punching strategy, was the perfect matchup to encourage Stevenson to showcase his skills and reclaim his reputation as a more dynamic fighter. In a notable moment, Zepeda landed a solid jab that seemed to catch Stevenson off guard early in the third round, yet Stevenson responded with confidence, indicating he was prepared for a tough battle.

As the fight progressed, Stevenson started to find his rhythm, skillfully using counter punches to retaliate against Zepeda’s aggressive flurries. While Zepeda had his moments pressing the action, Stevenson’s precision and strong combinations allowed him to build a significant lead as the fight continued towards its conclusion.

The judges scored the bout 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109 in favor of Stevenson. Reflecting on his performance, Stevenson noted, “I came here to prove a point. It wasn’t the performance I was looking for. I took more punishment than usual. Whatever it takes to get the job done. I’ve got dog in me, I’m not no poodle. … I proved that I’m a dog. That was one of the toughest fighters in the world at 135 pounds.”