Jose Zepeda knocks out Ivan Redkach in two rounds

JOSE Zepeda breezed through Ivan Redkach in two rounds at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Southern California, last night. In a battle of veterans, trying to avoid that late-career slide towards obscurity, Redkach was smashed out of town by hard-hitting Zepeda.

Taller Redkach came out aggressively but was soon forced onto the back foot by the stockier ‘Chon’ Zepeda, who landed a left hook to the body in round one that had his opponent on the deck and reeling. Redkach just about beat the referee’s liberal 10 count as Zepeda pounded the body for the remainder of the round.

The punishment continued into the second round as further body shots had Redkach down again. Rising gingerly, Redkach swayed against the ropes as Zepeda tagged the ribs repeatedly, scoring a stoppage at 2-02 of the second session.

While both veteran southpaws had spent their respective careers flitting around the super-lightweight region, Zepeda went home with the WBC Interim Silver welterweight title.

Zepeda improves his record to 38-5 (29 KOs), while Redkach falls to 24-8-1 (19 KOs). The loser, a Ukrainian based in Los Angeles, is now 38 and starting to literally live up to his ‘El Terrible’ nickname. Redkach is no longer the resilient contender-turned-gatekeeper of old and has been stopped in three of his last four outings.

“I wanted to show the fans that I’m still able to do it. Anything that’s going to be a war, I’m down for it,” said Zepeda, who stated that he felt strong and full of energy at 147.

Regis Prograis has apparently expressed an interest in rematching Zepeda, who said he was keen on that clash. This show was promoted by MarvNation, and televised on DAZN.