William Zepeda is one of the top contenders in boxing’s lightweight division. He looks to secure an opportunity at gold against Giovanni Cabrera on Saturday, July 6. The fight in California airs on DAZN worldwide.
Zepeda (30-0) is ranked No. 1 across the IBF, WBA, WBA and WBO in the 135-pound division. The 28-year-old Mexican warrior has won 26 fights via knockout, winning three straight via the power punch.
Cabrera (22-1) trains with Freddie Roach, and their relationship resulted in a run that saw the 29-year-old go toe-to-toe with Isaac Cruz last July. Showcasing a tough chin in a losing effort against “Pitbull,” a fighter of Cabrera’s caliber is what Zepeda needs to elevate his game.
WATCH: William Zepeda and Giovanni Cabrera, live on DAZN
“For me to build a legacy, I have to take on this type of fight and these types of fighters,” Zepeda said via Boxing Scene. “When you go the distance with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, you know you have to be good, and you have to be strong. We know he is a difficult and awkward fighter. For me to get to the next level, this is what I have to do.”
On the undercard, rising stars face former champions, and young prospects look to showcase their skills in front of passionate boxing fans.
William Zepeda vs Giovanni Cabrera undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Zepeda vs. Cabrera card.
Ricardo Sandoval vs. Angel Acosta
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Sandoval record: 24-2
- Acosta record: 24-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-main event is Ricardo Sandoval vs. Angel Acosta.
Sandoval (24-2) is on a four-fight win streak. “El Nino” has 17 wins via knockout and is ranked high at the flyweight level for all major sanctioning bodies, including third with the WBA.
Acosta (24-4) is a former WBO light flyweight champion, holding the belt from 2017-19. After losing the title against Elwin Soto, “Tito” has gone 4-2 in his last six fights on his path to becoming a champion again. The 33-year-old has 22 wins via knockout.
Manuel Flores vs. Nohel Arambulet
- Division/Weight: Super Bantamweight
- Flores record: 17-1
- Arambulet record: 23-6-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Manuel Flores faces Nohel Arambulet.
Flores (17-1) is on a two-fight win streak and looks to go 2-0 in 2024. “Gucci Manny” has 13 wins via knockout.
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Arambulet (23-6-2) competes in the U.S. for the first time. “El Nene” is on a three-fight win streak and has won 13 fights via knockout.
Joel Iriarte vs. Yainel Alvarez
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Iriarte record: 2-0
- Alvarez record: 3-4-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Opening the main card will be Joel Iriarte vs. Yainel Alvarez.
A member of Team USA, Iriarte (2-0) won the 2017 and 2018 USA Junior Open and 2018 Golden Gloves. The 21-year-old looks to go 3-0 in 2024 and prove why he is one of the hottest prospects in boxing.
Alvarez (3-4-2) is on a three-fight losing streak and hasn’t won since 2022. The Cuban has gone the distance in all but two fights, making himself a durable competitor.
Alex Martin vs. Pedro Campa
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Martin record: 18-5
- Campa record: 35-3-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Headlining the prelims will be Alex Martin vs. Pedro Campa.
A six-time National Champion with USA Boxing, Martin (18-5) is 2-2 in his last four fights, losing a four-fight win streak that started in 2019 and ran into 2021. “Chi-Town Heat” looks to grow within the super lightweight rankings.
Campa (35-3-1) lost an eight-fight unbeaten streak when then-former world champion Teofimo Lopez beat him in 2022 for the NABF featherweight title. It was the first time since 2017 that Campa lost via TKO. Since then, “Roca” has gone 1-1 in his last two contests.
Gael Cabrera vs. Mychaquell Shields
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Cabrera record: 4-0
- Shields record: 2-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Gael Cabrera vs. Mychaquell Shields.
A three-time Mexico National Championship gold medalist, Cabrera (4-0) had more than 200 wins as an amateur before turning pro in 2023. The Olympic team member looks to go 2-0 in 2024.
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Shields (2-4) is 2-2 in his last four fights but 0-2 in 2024. The 35-year-old has also competed in MMA, going 1-2 in 2019 after a 3-2 amateur record.
Joshua Garcia vs. Jason Buenaobra
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Garcia record: 8-0
- Buenaobra record: 10-10-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Joshua Garcia faces Jason Buenaobra.
Garcia (8-0) is a new Golden Boy signing and is ready to make an immediate impact with the promotion. The 21-year-old is 2-0 in 2024 after missing action in 2023 and has won half his fights via knockout.
Buenaobra (10-10-3) is on a three-fight losing streak. The Filipino looks for his first win since the start of 2023.
Anthony Saldivar vs. Roman Canto
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Saldivar record: 6-0
- Canto record: 15-17-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Anthony Saldivar and Roman Canto compete in super welterweight action.
A former USA National Championships competitor, Saldivar (6-0) won his most recent outing in April. The 23-year-old has two wins via knockout.
Canto (15-17-3) is on a two-fight losing streak and hasn’t won consecutive fights since 2014-15.
Daniel Luna vs. Joseph Walker
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Luna record: 3-1
- Walker record: 1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Daniel Luna battles Joseph Walker.
A five-time National Champion and a Silver Gloves Medalist, Luna (3-1) is ready for a rebound performance after suffering the first loss of his young career in October.
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Walker (1-1) lost his last fight in March, his first contest since 2020.
Japhethlee Llamido vs. Ryan Allen
- Division/Weight: Super Bantamweight
- Llamido record: 11-1
- Allen record: 10-7-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Japhethlee Llamido faces Ryan Allen.
A multi-time Golden Gloves competitor, Llamido (11-1) saw his unbeaten streak snapped in October against TJ Doheny.
Allen (10-7-1) is on a four-fight losing streak, his last win coming in 2019.
William Zepeda vs. Gio Cabrera tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, July 6
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. BST (Sun.) | 10 a.m. AEST (Sun.)
- Location: Toyota Arena — Ontario, Calif.
- How to watch:
- DAZN monthly subscription: $ 19.99 on a 12-month contract or $ 24.99 month-to-month in U.S. | $ 24.99 per month in Canada | £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month | 13.99 AUD in Australia
- DAZN annual subscription: $ 224.99 in the U.S. | $ 199.99 in Canada | £99.99 in the U.K.
