José “Chon” Zepeda scored his 29th victory and 24th via knockout at 2:18 of the fifth round in a very exciting match against Carlos “Chuko” Díaz, who was previously undefeated in 26 fights.
The bout took place the Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Baja California, and was broadcast on beIN Sports in the US and Casa del Boxeo, Azteca 7 in the region.
The fight was a very dramatic one and exciting from the beginning as both fighters traded their best shots in the very first round. Zepeda changed to boxing his man in the second round and had success, although Díaz started pressuring Zepeda heavily in the third round.
Díaz carried the momentum into the fourth round where Zepeda visited the canvas in his own corner after receiving a hook to the liver from Díaz. He managed survive the assault and make it through the round.
In the fifth round Díaz went out to finish Zepeda, but Zepeda was recovered just enough to exchange with Chuko and connect with his power. Zepeda had him hurt, and as Chuko backed across the ring he had him cornered and landed a left to the pit of the stomach on Díaz that caused him to crumple to the canvas. Referee Rafael Ramos counted to ten and then Chuko vomited in the ring and was immediately attended by the corner and ring doctors.
After the fight Díaz was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Mexicali to get checked out and so far the report is that he is going to be ok.
¨The result was given thanks to God, my regards for Carlos, he connected on me well but my conditioning was excellent and I managed to recover with all my drive and heart. I also managed to hurt him and finish him.” Said Zepeda, who obtained the Lightweight Intercontinental belt of the WBA.