Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda

The upcoming boxing match between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda is set for July 12, 2025, at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. This fight is a significant event as Stevenson will be defending his WBC lightweight title against the undefeated challenger Zepeda. The bout is highly anticipated, featuring two top contenders in the lightweight division, both with impressive undefeated records.

Shakur Stevenson is a strong favorite to win his fight against William Zepeda. As of early July 2025, online bookmakers have Stevenson at odds of around 1/10 to 1/12 (or -1000 to -1200), which means you’d have to bet a large amount on Stevenson to win a small profit. In contrast, Zepeda is a significant underdog, with odds ranging from 6/1 to nearly 7/1 (+600 to +680), so a bet on Zepeda would pay out much more if he pulls off the upset.

The odds have consistently favored Stevenson since the fight was announced. He opened as a big favorite, and the gap has only widened as the fight approaches. For example, Stevenson’s odds started at about 1/10 and have drifted even shorter, while Zepeda’s odds have lengthened slightly, reflecting bettors’ confidence in Stevenson’s technical skills and defensive style.

Most experts and oddsmakers expect Stevenson to win, and the most common prediction is that he’ll do so by decision rather than knockout. Stevenson is known for his defensive skills, ring IQ, and ability to control the pace, but he’s not a heavy puncher. The odds for Stevenson to win by decision are much shorter than for a knockout, reflecting the belief that he’ll outbox Zepeda over twelve rounds rather than stop him early.

Zepeda, on the other hand, is seen as the puncher in the fight, with a high knockout rate. If he wins, it’s likely to be by stoppage, but the odds suggest this is much less likely than a Stevenson points win. Some predictions from Zepeda’s camp have even targeted a late stoppage, but the consensus is that Stevenson’s style will make that very difficult.

This fight is a major title defense for Shakur Stevenson, who holds the WBC lightweight championship. For William Zepeda, it is a chance to claim a full world title and cement his status as one of the top lightweights in the world. Both fighters are undefeated, making this a high-stakes clash that could define the lightweight division’s future. The fight is expected to be competitive, with Stevenson’s technical skill and ring IQ going up against Zepeda’s power and pressure. Fans and experts see it as a 50/50 matchup, with the outcome likely hinging on whether Stevenson can neutralize Zepeda’s power and relentless style or if Zepeda can impose his physicality and break through Stevenson’s defense.

Stevenson is expected to win, most likely by outboxing Zepeda over the full distance. The odds have only moved further in his favor as the fight gets closer. Zepeda is a dangerous puncher, but the betting markets and most experts think Stevenson’s skills and defense will be too much for him, making a points win for Stevenson the most likely outcome.