Ivan Baranchyk fights Jose Zepeda, winner to get crack at world title

This Saturday night’s showdown from Las Vegas between contenders Ivan Baranchyk and Jose Zepeda isn’t exactly a crossroads fight.

But it’s close.

Both boxers are ready.

"He’s a top fighter, “Baranchyk told this writer via social media a few days ago. “He’s a good puncher and I’m looking forward to fighting him."

"I’m glad this fight got rescheduled, my skills will be on full showcase against Baranchyk," Zepeda told Jake Donovan of BoxingScene.com last week.

The pair were supposed to throw hands in July, but a rib injury, suffered by Baranchyk during training, postponed the fight.

Baranchyk was frustrated.

"I was really disappointed because I had a great training camp," said the man known as “The Beast.”

Zepeda,31, has lost only twice in 34 fights, scoring 25 knockouts. Both losses came in championship matches. Five years ago, a freak shoulder injury against Terry Flanagan in Manchester, Eng. - halted the fight after two rounds. In 2019, Zepeda, who had bounced back to win seven successive fights, traveled to Fresno, CA, to face hometown hero, Jose Ramirez.

The fight was tight. Ramirez pursued Zepeda all 12 rounds, but the slippery southpaw from La Puente, CA, jabbed and countered well in the early rounds. Ramirez upped the ante in round five, ripping hooks to the body.

Zepeda fought back with stinging left hands to the face.

Ramirez was able to force Zepeda into the ropes and score with strong shots to the head and body. His higher work rate won him a number of the later rounds--as Zepeda stopped jabbing. Both fighters dripped blood in the last few rounds with Ramirez busier and slightly more effective. Busier won the night as Ramirez retained his WBC super lightweight title by majority decision.

Baranchyk,27 lost his undefeated record and IBF belt to Josh Taylor in the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series last May. No disgrace there as Taylor, along with Ramirez, is the top man in the 140-pound division. Baranchyk returned to the ring 11 months ago, becoming the first fighter to stop veteran Gabriel Bracero in four rounds.

The fight was typical Baranchyk. His game is all about pressure. The strong and super tough Belarusian, born in Russia and fighting out of Miami, OK – dominated from the opening bell, beating up the gutsy Bracero like the New Yorker had stolen his lunch. His performance was similar to the one he had given when he captured the IBF world title by overpowering Anthony Yiget.

No problems with his preparation this time.

"The training has been great," Baranchyk said. "I’ve become stronger and more dangerous."

He’ll have to be against the talented Zepeda.

Look for a war inside “The Bubble" Oct.3.