
Californian José “Chon” Zepeda, will be defending his super lightweight silver title of the World Boxing Council, against the Puerto Rican Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas, in the main fight of a card that will take place next Saturday, October 30, at the Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York.
Zepeda is ranked No. 2 on the WBC rankings, while Vargas, the winner of 13 consecutive bouts, hopes to knock “Chon” off his elevated position in the world rankings.
Chon Zepeda (34-2, 21 KOs) is undefeated in five bouts since a close majority decision loss to then-WBC world champion José Ramírez in February 2019.
Zepeda starred in the 2020 Fight of the Year, knocking out Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round of an extraordinary fight that featured eight knockdowns in total. He returned in May on the Josh Taylor-Ramirez undercard and outpointed Hank Lundy in 10 rounds.Zepeda hopes that a win over Vargas will lead to a shot at undisputed monarch Josh Taylor.
“I’m trying really hard to earn myself another world title shot, but I understand the task at hand against a talented young fighter like Josué Vargas,” Zepeda said. “There is mutual respect, but when we enter the ring at Madison Square Garden, everything will go out the window.”
Josue Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) earned his nickname as a child prodigy in the Bronx, where he compiled an amateur record of 72-8 and won multiple championships in New York City.
Aside from a controversial disqualification loss early in his professional career, Vargas has been near perfect. He fought twice in 2020 in MGM Grand’s “La Burbuja”, achieving wide victories over Salvador Briceño and Kendo Castañeda. He last fought on April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida, and defeated the tricky Willie Shaw over 10 rounds.
Vargas commented: “I am ready for this opportunity. Being the main event in my city, and fighting at Madison Square Garden, is a dream come true. The Bronx and Puerto Rico will be present to show their support. This is Puerto Rico versus Mexico, so you know it’s going to be a great fight. I have the skills to beat Zepeda, and that’s what I’m going to do. Zepeda has a lot of experience against the biggest names in the super light division. We both have the talent and skills to put on amemorable show. ”
test