Lightweight contender Giovanni Cabrera believes he must beat William Cepeda to prove he is a top contender.
The two fighters are scheduled to compete on July 6 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, in a bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and broadcast on DAZN.
Cabrera (22-1, 7 KOs) recently bounced back with a 10-round unanimous decision win in Texas following his lone loss against current WBA junior welterweight world champion Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz, who served as the co-main event of last July’s Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford fight.
The 29-year-old Cabrera recalls an early career period when he was coached by Hall of Fame boxing coach Freddie Roach and competed in a Brian Hallquist-promoted bout in Washington, where matchmaker Andy Nance pitted Cabrera against tough opponents, experiences he hopes will prepare him for the 27-year-old Cepeda (30-0, 26 KOs).
“I've beaten seven unbeaten fighters, so I'm used to fighting unbeaten fighters,” Cabrera said. “Nobody wants to fight a fighter with the punching power that Cepeda has, but if I'm being myself, I have to beat this guy.”
Cabrera had faced six unbeaten fighters by his 14th fight, including overtime boxing favorite Elijah Pierce. Cabrera was known for his clumsy style, using angles to disrupt rhythm and timing, a style he described as “scientific.”
“My style is very unique and difficult,” Cabrera says. “A lot of what I do is quite creative and scientific, and it's confusing to most people because they've never seen anything like it.”
“What they think is awkwardness is actually intelligence. If you see me beat Cepeda, it will be etched in your mind.”
Cabrera is ranked 8th by the WBC and 10th by the WBA. Despite not being backed by a promoter, Cabrera is fuelled by his immense confidence and is taking risks to further his career.
“This fight means a lot to me,” Cabrera said. “I consider myself one of the top lightweights in the world.”
