Jose Zepeda Believes Attempt Number Three Will Win the Championship!
On November 26, super lightweight fighter Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-2, 27 KO’s) will glove up for a title fight. For Zepeda, this will mark his third attempt to become a world champion. In this latest attempt, Chon will face the challenge of Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (27-1, 23 KO’s). Naturally, Zepeda, 33, feels that third shot will be the lucky charm.
THE SOMEWHAT ROCKY ROAD
For the native Californian, despite having the two losses on his record, he fundamentally feels undefeated. In many respects, he is well within his rights to hold this notion. During his first shot at the vacant WBO lightweight title, Zepeda was thwarted by injury. In that contest, versus Terry Flanagan, back on July 11, 2015, Chon had to retire on his stool due to a dislocated shoulder. So, while there is the mark against his record, he wasn’t outmatched in the ring.
Four years later, on February 10, 2019, Chon dropped a majority decision loss to Jose Carlos Ramirez. This is a decision that he vehemently disagrees with. And this is exactly what he shared with Fight Hype during a recent Q&A.
“If I was able to get three opportunities for the world title, it means that I am doing things right! Nobody just gets three opportunities for no reason. So it means that I am doing things right, every time I am progressing. And add that the two times that I lost, in my book, in my opinion, inside the ring I haven’t lost.”
“My first title fight, my first loss, that was a shoulder dislocation. The second one, many people thought I won. So I believe, inside the ring, I haven’t lost a fight. I’m undefeated.”
WHAT THINGS MAY COME
From the outside looking in, this match has all the earmarks for being a great fight. Zepeda, ranked #1 (WBC) and #9 (WBO), and Prograis, #1 (WBC), are the two best fighters in the division. Each is highly skilled, determined and harbors mutual respect for the other. And the desire to become a champion is a tremendous motivator for both. Zepeda wants to finally feel the exhilaration of hearing ‘and the new!’
Meanwhile, Prograis is well documented for saying the only reason he remains in the division is to specifically become a super lightweight champion once again. So, with the stakes as high as they can be, let’s see who walks away with the title when all the dust settles!
By: Bakari Simpson
