Jose Zepeda to fight Terry Flanagan for vacant WBO lightweight title

Jose Zepeda (23-0, 20 KOs), a California native, will be suiting-up for an away game when he fights local favorite, Terry Flanagan (27-0, 10 KOs), in Manchester, England on July 11th. The two will be fighting for the vacant WBO lightweight title and Zepeda, 26, is understandably excited for his first 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."

"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!"

The bout shapes up to be a good style contrast with Zepeda (sporting a 87% KO ratio) playing the role of 'puncher' versus the 'boxer' in Flanagan. None of Zepeda's last four opponents were able to survive more than three rounds with him and Flanagan is coming off a DQ victory over Stephen Ormond in February.