Coming off back-to-back majority draws against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz, Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs) hoped to become a two-division world champion. Instead, he spent much of the evening trying to slow one of boxing’s busiest offensive fighters.
Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) established the pace almost immediately, cutting off the ring with intelligent footwork and forcing Roach backward behind a nonstop attack. The Mexican southpaw mixed head and body shots while maintaining the high punch output that has become his trademark, rarely allowing Roach enough time to set his feet for counters.
“Shakur gave me a great tes
