Giovanni Cabrera to Tackle Hard-Hitting Lightweight Contender William Zepeda
Giovanni Cabrera, the crafty boxer with a sturdy chin, is set to face his toughest test yet when he takes on the hard-punching, undefeated William Zepeda in the main event of a Golden Boy show on DAZN this Saturday at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Cabrera (22-1, 7 KOs) proved his durability in a closely contested split decision loss against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz last summer, absorbing a staggering 152 power punches. Now, the 29-year-old free spirit from Chicago, trained by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, will put his chin to the test once more against the No. 1-ranked lightweight Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs), who has bulldozed through the likes of Maxi Hughes, Mercito Gesta, and Joseph Diaz Jr.
“Matadors defeat bulls in the ring, using their aggression and power against them,” Cabrera told BoxingScene. “I am going to do my best to throw off Zepeda’s rhythm by controlling and manipulating distance and making him think I am closer when I am further away by changing speeds and levels. He’s going to have a lot to think about that maybe he hasn’t with other fighters.”
Cabrera, a former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner, believes his slick boxing skills and granite chin pose a serious threat to the hard-hitting Zepeda. “Absolutely [I pose a threat to him with my style]. He’s been hit by his previous opponents pretty frequently and has been hurt before. I have to capitalize on opportunities and do some damage.”
A victory over Zepeda, the mandatory challenger to the current lightweight titlists, would propel Cabrera to the top of the division and potentially earn him a coveted title shot. “There shouldn’t be a doubt in anyone’s mind that if I dominate Zepeda and beat him, I am the No. 1 lightweight contender in the world.”
Cabrera, a promotional free agent, has bounced back from his loss against Cruz with a unanimous decision win over Ricardo Quiroz in March. “My stock only went up from the Cruz fight,” he said. “You saw how Cruz demolished Rolando Romero. It only shows you what kind of level that I am on.”
This high-stakes matchup between Cabrera and Zepeda promises to be an exciting and pivotal moment in the lightweight landscape. With Cabrera’s seasoned boxing skills and Zepeda’s devastating power, fight fans are in for a thrilling clash at the Toyota Arena.
🔗 Source
