Refreshed and back in the United States following a well-deserved post-fight vacation in Zanzibar, lightweight contender Tevin Farmer has plenty of thoughts and reflections in the aftermath of his strong performance against William Zepeda in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a display of heart, skill, and unrelenting determination, the former junior lightweight champion pushed his undefeated adversary to the brink but wound up losing a split decision loss. With the WBC interim lightweight world title at stake, Farmer fell just one point shy of victory on the scorecards, in a gritty effort that solidified his standing in the 135-pound division. “I loved fighting in Saudi Arabia. It was my second time fighting abroad. Everyone treated me well. Yes, I thought I won, but overall it was an amazing experience,” said Farmer, who is a great-great nephew of boxing legend Joe Gans.
“I’m always in the gym, but I spent ten weeks in training camp preparing for this fight. Zepeda’s team expected me to be a boxer, so I switched it up. Zepeda is an aggressive volume puncher and you can’t let fighters like that apply the pressure. You have to be the bully, the one pressing forward and initiating the action. I’m a helluva fighter on the inside, I just never had to bring it out like that before.”
Farmer scored the fight’s lone knockdown with a perfectly timed straight left in the fourth frame, showcasing his trademark accuracy and ring IQ. Zepeda was visibly rattled but managed to recover. “This was the fifth fight of my comeback, which began last June. Four of my last five opponents have hit the canvas and that now includes the #1 contender at lightweight. I fought a guy that was 31-0, with 27 knockouts, and he gets dropped by a fighter supposedly with no power," Farmer continued.
“I saw that Zepeda was throwing a lazy jab. I tried to counter it early on, but Zepeda was watching me. Timing is key. In round four, I threw a combination and the second he came back with that lazy jab, I reacted with my straight left.”
Judges Predrag Aleksic, Jun Bae Lim, and Fernando Villarreal each scored the bout 95-94, with two tallies in favor of Zepeda and one for Farmer. All three unanimously awarded Farmer rounds 4, 5, 8, and 10, with Lim’s additional nod in round one making the difference on her card.
“Zepeda was the favorite and a Golden Boy fighter, so I knew I had to finish strong and dominate the last round. His punch output was crazy, but he was standing right in front of me and was there to be hit. Watch the fight and you'll see I hurt him several times throughout the bout," said Farmer. "When I heard the decision, I was dejected, but I knew in my heart that I won. Losing a close decision under those circumstances is an unfortunate part of the sport, but the world saw what I can do.”
“Put respect on Tevin Farmer’s name,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, on social media, in the wake of the thrilling contest. “Thought Tevin shaded it, but it was close. Tevin stands with the top of the division! He has proved that like a G and a warrior in his last two fights. That was universal #1 Zepeda in there; the knockdown should have decided it!”
Four months earlier in Las Vegas, Farmer put forth a valiant challenge against 20-0 rising contender Raymond Muratalla in July, another bout many observers felt Farmer arguably won. The back-to-back clashes against two of the best lightweights have left no doubt about Farmer’s world-class caliber.
“I already knew it mentally, but the Muratalla fight showed me that I physically still have it and can beat these young boys,” said Farmer.
“Tevin Farmer is a man’s man, an underdog, a champion, and a professional,” DiBella asserted. “Tev will return and will win a big fight again.”
Respected boxing analyst Dan Rafael echoed those sentiments, stating on Big Fight Weekend podcast: “Tevin Farmer is still a very solid, very credible world-class level fighter. He stood his ground, fought intelligently, and clipped Zepeda with a beautiful shot for the knockdown. He’s proven he belongs among the top at 135 pounds.”
The call for Farmer to receive another significant opportunity is growing louder. Doug Fischer, Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine, was direct: “I think Zepeda owes Farmer a rematch.” Chris Mannix, of DAZN, added, “Farmer deserves another real fight,” while BoxingScene’s Francisco Salazar lauded his courage: “Few fighters today would take on Zepeda and Muratalla back-to-back. Farmer is one of the few, and he’s still a top contender.”
"I do want the rematch, an immediate rematch if I had my way. If not Zepeda, let’s do another big fight," Farmer emphasized. "My performance showed the world that Tevin Farmer is a top fighter and he’s dangerous. I’m ready to take on anyone.”
Tevin Farmer has proven time and again that he is a fighter’s fighter—fearless, skilled, and capable of competing at the highest level. Now, he deserves the stage to continue demonstrating why he’s one of boxing’s elite.
