Zepeda vs Hughes

Who won Zepeda vs Hughes?

William Zepeda beat Maxi Hughes by technical knockout in the 4th round on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at The Chelsea, Las Vegas.

The scorecards were announced in favor of winner William Zepeda.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 135 pounds (9.6 stone or 61.2 kg).

This contest was an eliminator for the IBF lightweight championship of the world.

The undercard featured the clash of Schofield vs Suero.

Zepeda vs Hughes stats

Back in March 2024, William Zepeda stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 29 wins, zero losses, and 0 draws, 25 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Maxi Hughes made his way to the ring with a record of 26 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 5 of those wins by knockout.

The stats suggested Zepeda had a massive power advantage over Hughes, boasting a 86% knockout percentage compared to Hughes' 19%.

William Zepeda was the younger man by 6 years, at 28 years old.

Zepeda had a height advantage of 2 inches over Hughes. That also extended to a 3-inch reach advantage.

Both William Zepeda and Maxi Hughes fought out of a southpaw stance.

Zepeda was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 5 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2015, 5 years and 1 month later than Hughes, whose first professional fight was in 2010. He had fought 105 fewer professional rounds, totaling 148 compared to Hughes' 253.

William Zepeda went into the fight ranked number 1 by the WBA, 1 by the WBC, 3 by the WBO, and 6 by the IBF at lightweight.

Maxi Hughes was ranked number 5 by the WBA, 6 by the WBC, 14 by the WBO, and 4 by the IBF in the 135lb division.

Zepeda vs Hughes form

Zepeda remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Mercito Gesta on September 16, 2023, by knockout in the 6th round at Commerce Casino, Commerce, United States.

Prior to that, he had won against Jaime Arboleda on April 29, 2023, by knockout in the 2nd round at College Park Center, Arlington.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz on October 29, 2022, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Pechanga Arena, San Diego.

Before that, he had defeated Rene Alvarado on May 14, 2022, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Toyota Arena, California.

He had won against Yerel Siezar on February 19, 2022, by knockout in the 3rd round at Plaza Monumental, Baja California, Mexico.

Hughes had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to George Kambosos on July 22, 2023, by majority decision in their IBF World Lightweight eliminator fight at FireLake Arena, Shawnee, United States.

Prior to that, he had defeated Kid Galahad on September 24, 2022, by majority decision in their 12 round contest at Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Ryan Walsh on March 26, 2022, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at First Direct Arena, Yorkshire.

Before that, he had won against Jovanni Straffon on September 4, 2021, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds.

He had beaten Paul Hyland Jnr on March 19, 2021, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their BBBOC British Lightweight championship fight at Bolton Whites Hotel (formerly De Vere Whites), Lancashire.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, William Zepeda had been fighting more than Maxi Hughes.

Going into this contest, William Zepeda had last fought 6 months ago, while Maxi Hughes' last outing had been 7 months and 23 days ago.

Zepeda's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years and 26 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 5 months. In those fights, he fought a total of 33 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 6.6 rounds on average.

Hughes' last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 26 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 6 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 56 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 11.2 rounds on average.

What time did Zepeda vs Hughes start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 12:00 AM EST / 9:00 PM PST at The Chelsea, Las Vegas, United States, which was around 4:00 AM GMT in the UK.

Who broadcast Zepeda vs Hughes?

The DAZN show began at 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST. The DAZN Global broadcast of the card started at 12:00 AM (GTM).

What were the odds on Zepeda vs Hughes?

William Zepeda was a 1/10 (-1100) favorite going into the contest, while Maxi Hughes made his way into the ring at 6/1 (+650) with oddsmakers.