William Zepeda Vs. Tevin Farmer II: Odds, Records, Prediction

Forbes

29-03-2025

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 16: William Zepeda punches Tevin Farmer during their fight on the ... More Riyadh Season Latino Night at Kingdom Arena on November 16, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/)
Heading into their first meeting four months ago, William Zepeda was a big betting favorite against former world champion Tevin Farmer. But Farmer showed that he can still fight at a world-class level and left people wondering if perhaps they had overhyped Zepeda in the first place. Now, in the rematch, both fighters have even more to prove. Here's everything you need to know about William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.
In the leadup to the first Zepeda-Farmer matchup in November, Zepeda was a 24/1 favorite (Farmer was about +800). So, it was a big surprise when Farmer knocked him down in the fourth round and nearly pulled off the massive upset. Zepeda was awarded the split decision (many believed it should have been recorded as a Farmer victory), but the result slightly tarnished the 28-year-old Zepeda's boxing reputation. Especially since the 135-pound prospect struggled with a light-hitting former 130-pound world titlist who, at the age of 34, is almost certainly in the twilight of his career.
Zepeda is still the favorite entering Saturday's rematch, and there's been talk that he could be next in line to fight Shakur Stevenson. But he can't overlook Farmer.
Farmer proved that last time.
'Last time, I let him live and let him do more than I should have,' Farmer said. 'This time, there's no mercy. He's not on my level, and on March 29, I'm not just winning — I'm making a statement. I'm going to show the world that I'm still a top dog in this game. Never doubt Tevin Farmer. Y'all should know that by now — I'm like a fly you can't get rid of. I just keep coming back.'
But there's a good reason Zepeda had been considered one of the top prospects in the sport. He's aggressive, and he throws tons of punches. Plus, he's got good power behind his pressure. Farmer has rarely wowed anybody with his strength, but he's certainly been a world-class technician. He could give Zepeda more trouble in the rematch, but Zepeda said he's learned some lessons.
'The fans asked for it, and I'm ready to give them an even better version of myself,' he said. 'I'll leave no doubt in anyone's mind that I'm the clear winner."
Here's more info on the William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer showdown that U.S. viewers can watch on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 16: William Zepeda punches Tevin Farmer during their fight on the ... More Riyadh Season Latino Night at Kingdom Arena on November 16, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/)
Zepeda is once again the betting favorite vs. Farmer — this time, though, the odds are much narrower. As of this writing, Zepeda was the -750 favorite (bet $750 to win $100) while Farmer was the +475 underdog (win $475 on a $100 wager). Zepeda has minus odds to win by stoppage, but I wouldn't mind going with him to win by decision at +160. If you really like Farmer, you can take him to win by decision at +750.
If you were looking for a fun parlay for this weekend's action of boxing (and this is only for entertainment purposes), I might take Zepeda to beat Farmer at -750, Bruce 'Shu Shu' Carrington to beat Jose Vivas by decision at +187 and Brian Norman to beat Derrieck Cuevas at -750. If all of those hit, you'd win $268 on a $100 wager.
At 32-0 with 27 KOs, Zepeda hasn't faced many big tests where he was in true danger of losing his undefeated record. Until, that is, he met Farmer the first time. Still, Zepeda has been mostly dominant in his career and has beaten solid fighters like JoJo Diaz, Maxi Hughes and Mercito Gesta.
At this point in his 14-year career, Farmer's record of 33-7-1 (8 KOs) doesn't look all that impressive. But even with all the defeats that have piled up in the past few years (losing to Zepeda, Ray Muratalla and JoJo Diaz), Farmer can still fight. And the fact he dropped Zepeda in the fourth round of their first meeting shows that he can land a good punch.
Farmer has proven that he's got a good chin (he hasn't been stopped in a fight since 2012), and he's going to be just slick enough to make sure Zepeda doesn't land anything too heavy. But Zepeda still will overwhelm him with volume, and this time Zepeda will do enough to get the clear-cut decision victory. Say somewhere in the 117-111 range.