Jose Zepeda vs Kendo Castaneda set for July 7 with Baranchyk injured

Unfortunately, we won’t be getting Jose Zepeda vs Ivan Baranchyk in late July. Top Rank confirmed that “Chon” Zepeda will remain in his July 7th ESPN main event slot and take on San Antonio’s Kendo Castaneda on short notice. The co-feature pits super featherweight prospect Andy Vences against Luis Alberto Lopez.

Scott already updated the schedule accordingly, but I figured a full announcement wouldn’t hurt.

Castaneda (17-1, 8 KO), 26, enjoyed a fairly standard prospect rise before working his way to a prospect clash with Yomar Alamo this past February. Castaneda started strong, but ultimately faded down the stretch en route to a majority decision loss. While it’s admirable to see him take such a stiff test after his first career setback, especially without a title on the line, he’s a far cry from Baranchyk in terms of hype.

Especially since cardio issues are the last things you want against Zepeda (31-2, 25 KO), who’s historically at his most vulnerable in the later rounds.

Vences (23-1-1, 12 KO) will look to make it two straight since losing his own “someone’s 0 has got to go” match with Albert Bell. Lopez (20-2, 11 KO) lost to Ruben Villa in May 2019 on ShoBox, but has won three straight, including a stoppage of previously unbeaten Cristian Baez on Dec. 14 in Mexicali.