Terry Flanagen will battle Jose Zepeda for the vacant WBO Lightweight title on July 11 in Manchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“I’ve delivered Terry his world title shot on home soil,” Warren said. “He’s now got all the home advantages, and he has to translate that in the ring and beat Zepeda, who will certainly give Terry plenty to think about with that huge knockout punch he carries.”
“It’s a dream to fight for the world title on my own doorstep and it will be an electric atmosphere on the night at the Velodrome,” Flanagan said. “I’d have fought Zepeda anywhere because to get a world title fight has been my dream since first putting on the gloves, but my promoter, Frank Warren, has really pulled out all the stops to get me my chance in my backyard as he believes in me and I’ll repay that faith by becoming world champion.”
“Zepeda can certainly punch,” Flanagan said. “He’s stopped nearly all of his opponents, with the majority coming inside three rounds. It’s not just about being able to punch at this level though. What happens when I start dragging him into the later rounds, and he’s going into uncharted territory? Can he cope with the pace I’m going to set?
“These are all questions he’s going to be asked of him and, remember, I can bang as well. I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy fight. It’s the biggest and hardest night of my life and I’m going to train and prepare for this like never before and do everything I can to win that belt.”
