Terry Flanagan to fight Jose Zepeda for world title on July 11
British contender Terry Flanagan (27-0, 10 KOs) will fight Jose Zepeda (23-0, 20 KOs) for the vacant WBO lightweight title on July 11 in front of his home fans at the Velodrome in Manchester.
In a battle of the unbeatens, the Manchester man takes on the American visitor for the 135-pound title recently vacated by Terence Crawford, who moved up in weight and stopped Thomas Dulorme to claim the vacant WBO light welterweight belt in April.
Promoter Frank Warren said: "I've delivered Terry his world title shot on home soil. 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."
Flanagan, 25, earned the title shot when he defeated Stephen Ormond in a title eliminator in February, when the Irishman was disqualified in the 10th round due to persistent use of the head.
Zepeda, 25, has knocked out 16 of his last 17 opponents and is coming off a first-round knockout of Armando Robles in April.
Flanagan said: “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. 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.
“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.”