Las Vegas, NV – A star-studded night of boxing unfolded at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on Saturday, with a compelling world title doubleheader presented by a coalition of prominent promoters on DAZN. The evening, orchestrated by industry heavyweights Bob Arum (Top Rank), Tom Brown (TGB Promotions), Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions), Gary Jonas (ProBox Promotions), and Lamont Roach Sr. (NoXcuse Promotions), delivered both definitive championship performances and hard-fought battles. The main event saw William "Camarón" Zepeda ascend to lightweight supremacy, clinching the vacant WBC lightweight title via unanimous decision against the resilient Lamont "The Reaper" Roach Jr. In the co-featured bout, IBF lightweight champion Raymond "Danger" Muratalla successfully defended his strap, overpowering former Olympic gold medalist and ex-WBC super featherweight king Robson "Nino O Brabo" Conceição with a commanding unanimous decision.
Lamont Roach Jr. of Washington, D.C. (25-2-3, 10 KOs) faced a stern test against the power-punching William Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico. Zepeda, a former interim WBC lightweight champion, entered the ring with an impressive knockout ratio, signaling his intent to make a statement for the vacant world title. The fight, officiated by Harvey Dock, proved to be a tactical and physical chess match, with both fighters showcasing grit and determination over the twelve-round distance.
Roach began the contest with promising intent, utilizing sharp timing and his potent right hand to gain an early advantage in the opening round. However, Zepeda, a southpaw, weathered the early storm and began to assert his dominance in the second round. While Roach managed to land a significant right hand that momentarily disrupted Zepeda’s rhythm, the Mexican contender quickly regained his composure.
From the third round onwards, Zepeda steadily seized control of the narrative. His relentless pressure and effective combinations began to wear down Roach, forcing him onto the back foot. Zepeda’s consistent output and ability to cut off the ring were evident as he outworked Roach through the middle rounds. Though Roach displayed moments of spirited offense, particularly in the latter stages of rounds, Zepeda’s unwavering pace proved to be the deciding factor. The seventh through ninth rounds were largely dominated by Zepeda, who maintained a punishing tempo. Roach, showing the heart of a champion, fought with renewed urgency in the tenth and eleventh rounds, even as a bloody nose became a visible testament to Zepeda’s power. In the final round, Roach engaged aggressively, seeking a knockout that never materialized, as Zepeda’s lead was too substantial to overcome. The judges ultimately scored the bout decisively in favor of Zepeda: 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110.
In the highly anticipated co-feature, IBF lightweight champion Raymond "Danger" Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs) of Fontana, California, made a strong case for his position among the division’s elite. He faced the formidable challenge of Robson Conceição (21-4-1, 10 KOs), a decorated former Olympic gold medalist and ex-WBC super featherweight champion. Referee Thomas Taylor presided over a bout that saw Muratalla’s skill and strategic prowess on full display.
Muratalla established control early, dictating the pace through the opening two rounds. His power-punching was evident in the third, where he repeatedly landed damaging right hands that staggered Conceição. The middle rounds saw Muratalla expertly work the body, softening up his opponent and limiting Conceição’s offensive opportunities. While Conceição managed to find some success with a well-timed left uppercut in the sixth round, securing one of his few clear rounds, Muratalla’s command of the fight was never seriously threatened.
From the seventh round through the tenth, Muratalla consistently outmaneuvered and outpunched Conceição, showcasing superior speed and accuracy. The final two rounds were competitive, but Muratalla’s substantial lead ensured his victory. The judges’ scorecards reflected Muratalla’s dominance: 118-110, 119-109, and 119-109.
The undercard also featured compelling action. In a welterweight clash, 2016 Olympian Raul "Cugar" Curiel (18-0-1, 14 KOs) secured a majority decision over Quinton "Sugar Man" Randall (17-4-1, 4 KOs) in a ten-round contest officiated by Tony Weeks. Curiel, initially starting slow, gradually imposed his will, demonstrating effective pressure and powerful combinations, particularly in the latter rounds where he scored a significant knockdown in the eighth.
In a hard-hitting middleweight bout, Charles "Bad News" Conwell (22-1, 17 KOs) delivered a brutal performance, stopping Paul "The Punisher" Kroll (12-1-2, 8 KOs) at 2:38 of the ninth round. Referee Robert Hoyle stepped in after a devastating left to the liver sent Kroll down, unable to continue. Both fighters were returning from extended layoffs, but Conwell’s power proved too much.
Middleweight prospect Fabian Guzman (11-0, 8 KOs) continued his unbeaten streak, earning a unanimous decision over Aaron Coley (17-6-2, 7 KOs) over eight rounds, with referee Robert Hoyle overseeing the bout. In the heavyweight division, Joel Iriarte (11-0, 10 KOs) showcased his power, stopping Jorge "Piolas" Lagunas (19-10, 16 KOs) in the final round, with Tony Weeks officiating.
On the featherweight scene, Gael "El Terrorista" Cabrera (12-0, 7 KOs) maintained his perfect record with an eight-round unanimous decision over Francisco "Rayito" Portillo (20-15-2, 11 KOs), with Harvey Dock in charge. Dalis Kaleiopu (9-0, 7 KOs) made quick work of Yeyery "La Buija" Castillo (14-3, 11 KOs), scoring a first-round knockout at 2:37, refereed by Robert Hoyle. In a significant upset, Juan Carlos Becerril (3-0, 2 KOs) knocked out Dylan "La Amenaza" Capetillo (2-1, 1 KO) at 2:59 of the third round, with Thomas Taylor presiding. The ring announcer for the evening was Mark Fratto.
