FIGHT WEEK
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDER AND TWO-TIME TITLE CHALLENGER JOSE ZEPEDA RETURNS AGAINST JOSUE VARGAS ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN NEW YORK ON ESPN+.
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JOSE ZEPEDA (34-2, 26 KOs) VS. JOSUE VARGS (19-1, 9 KOs)
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 30
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York
- TV/Stream: ESPN+
- Cost: ESPN+ is $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually (bundling options are also available)
- Division: Junior welterweight
- At stake: No major titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: Carlos Caraballo vs. Jonas Sultan, bantamweights
- Prediction: Zepeda KO 10
- Background: Zepeda has been frustrated in world title fights at 135 and 140 pounds – losing in two rounds to Terry Flanagan after dislocating his shoulder and Jose Ramirez by a close decision – but he has otherwise fared well against top-level opposition, including a wide decision over Hank Lundy this May. The Los Angeles-area boxer-puncher’s fifth-round knockout of Ivan Baranchyk was the 2020 Fight of the Year. Zepeda is seeking a third shot at a major title or a rematch with Ramirez. He’s ranked in the Top 5 by the WBC and WBO, whose belts belong to Josh Taylor. Vargas was born in Puerto Rico but lives in the Bronx, New York, where he was an outstanding amateur fighter. He reportedly was 72-8 in the unpaid ranks. He would be undefeated as a professional if it weren’t for a controversial disqualification against Samuel Santana in 2016. However, Zepeda represents a step up in opposition for him. We’ll learn a lot about Vargas on Saturday night at the Garden.