The WBO belt that was vacated by Terence Crawford at 135 lbs. and was supposed to go to the winner of Ray Beltran and Takahiro Ao but Beltran came in overweight then tested positive for an anabolic steroid.
That title will now up for grabs in England. RingTv.com reports that the WBO crown will be on the line on July 11th when Jose Zepeda (23-0, 20 KOs) takes on England’s Terry Flanagan (27-0, 10 KOs), in Manchester.
Zepeda is not in line to face another undefeated fighter and is excited to be traveling abroad for a shot at a world title.
“I’m excited to be going to England and fight,” Zepeda told RingTV.com, last week prior to leaving for his training camp. “I feel comfortable fighting anywhere. I know I will bring my ‘A’ game. I would have loved to fight for the title back home, but I am excited for this opportunity.”
Gonzalez knows the bout will be tough and is cutting no corners especially as both guys are undefeated and in one of their 0”s has to go come July 11th
“I think Terry is a great fighter. Both of us are undefeated, and I’m ready for a great fight,” he said. “I don’t take anything away from him. We will both be prepared. I know we are going to give the fans a great fight!”
When speaking to the WBO President in Las Vegas, the next opponent to the belt might be the winner of next weekend’s bout between Felix Verdejo and Ivan Najera.
The bout will be contested for a regional title of the WBO. Top Rank has Verdejo on a fast track to stardom. He’s appearing on his first HBO card and is also fighting on the ever of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.
Expect to see Verdejo or Najera challenging one of these fighters at the end of this year or start of next.
