MEXICO CITY — The WBC has ordered a lightweight title consolidation between reigning champion William Zepeda and interim champion Jadier Herrera, giving the pair until Oct. 20 to come to terms. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed earlier reporting of the order, which will reduce the sanctioning body's titles at 135 pounds.
The move follows Shakur Stevenson vacating the belt to rise to super lightweight to challenge Teofimo Lopez for gold. Herrera (18-0, 16 KO) was cleared to fight Ricardo Nunez for the interim title and stopped the veteran to claim it. The WBC subsequently stripped Stevenson over unpaid sanctioning fees, but instead of upgrading Herrera outright or ordering a vacant title fight, it sanctioned “Camaron” Zepeda (34-1, 27 KO) to fight Lamont Roach Jr. for the full title this past August, which Zepeda won.
Zepeda now stands as the clear favorite in a post-Stevenson lightweight division. Herrera, 24, enters unbeaten but lightly tested, with his best victory coming against Nunez on the heels of a disqualification loss to Jon Fernandez. Warren has pushed for the opportunity and Herrera has made clear he wants the shot.
Unless Zepeda secures a unification bout with Abdullah Mason or opts to vacate the title, Herrera is positioned to receive his mandatory opportunity. The Oct. 20 deadline leaves both camps time to negotiate before purse bids are called.