William Cepeda is set to face Giovanni Cabrera next month, but Golden Boy president Eric Gomez acknowledges it could be a tough test.
Cepeda dominated Maxi Hughes in his last fight in April, knocking out the overpowered Brit in four rounds.
On July 6 at the Toyota Center in Ontario, California, Cepeda will compete again, looking to send a new message to the lightweight division.
Mexico's Cepeda is a 5-foot-9 southpaw who is currently 30-0 (26 KOs). Cabrera is 22-1 (7 KOs) with his only loss coming in a tough 12-round bout against WBA 140-pound titleholder Isaac Cruz.
“He's tough. Tough kid,” Gomez said of Cabrera. “A little unconventional, but a tough kid with a very good record. Look, he gave Cruz a tough time. It was a split decision, it was a close fight. So it's a risky fight for Cepeda, but that's what he wants.”
“He wants a meaningful fight. He wants a good fight. He's on his way to a world title. A win over a guy like Cabrerra would be a big milestone for him and his career.”
There is growing speculation that Cepeda could face Shakur Stevenson this year, and Gomez said the bout could happen. Top Rank said talks are ongoing. I didn't go far.
However, WBC champion Stevenson is scheduled to finish out his existing contract on the same night, July 6, when he faces Arten Harootunyan at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
“We've agreed to talk again later this year and it's one of the fights we want to look at,” Gomez said.
