William Zepeda told ProBox TV this week that he's traveling soon to sign a contract to fight Maxi Hughes. The video airs on our channel Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.
The lightweight boxer Zepeda has a flawless pro record of 29-0 (25 KOs) and is so highly regarded at Golden Boy Promotions that its founder Oscar de la Hoya told ProBox TV and other reporters recently that he would have no issue matching him against Top Rank stud Shakur Stevenson.
"He’s always wanted that fight," de la Hoya told us.
Until then, he will take on other challenges and it appears a bout against Matchroom fighter Hughes — a former British lightweight champion — could be next.
Zepeda, alongside his coach Jay 'Panda' Najar, said as much during a Spanish-language talk show on ProBox TV this week.
It would mark Zepeda's 30th fight having already beaten the likes of Rene Alvarado, Joseph Diaz, and Mercito Gesta.
A source with knowledge of Golden Boy movements said that, while Hughes is a possible opponent, nothing is confirmed at this time.
Talks are positive, the source said, but they are not all the way there yet.
Working with Matchroom Boxing is something Golden Boy has shown it can do as it holds the upcoming contest between Jaime Munguia against John Ryder on January 27 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The two promotional companies also share a broadcaster in DAZN.
It is a bout that could feature in the coming months.
"He’s inching toward a world title — maybe two to three fights away — he’s looking incredible," de la Hoya said of Zepeda, when speaking recently to ProBox TV and other reporters.
"We’re looking to bring him back mid-February, late Feb, early March."
The bout against Hughes, should it materialize, would add a significant match to Golden Boy's schedule, having kicked off the year with Vergil Ortiz's first-round knockout win over Fredrick Lawson, and with Ryan Garcia's return against either Rolando Romero or Devin Haney looming on the horizon.
