Ivan Baranchyk vs. Jose Zepeda - October 3, 2020

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ivan Baranchyk-Jose Zepeda Rescheduled For October 3 In Las Vegas

One of the numerous ESPN fights that was postponed over the summer has been rescheduled.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Ivan Baranchyk and Jose Zepeda have again agreed to square off October 3 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. The 12-round, 140-pound bout between Russia’s Baranchyk (20-1, 13 KOs) and Southern California’s Zepeda (32-2, 25 KOs, 1 NC) will headline a show that’ll either air live on ESPN or will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Baranchyk-Zepeda will be a WBC elimination match to determine the number one contender for whoever wins the Jose Ramirez-Viktor Postol fight Saturday night at MGM Grand Conference Center. Zepeda is rated third by the WBC, three spots atop the sixth-ranked Baranchyk, a former IBF junior welterweight champ.

The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger first reported that Baranchyk-Zepeda has been rescheduled for October 3.

Baranchyk, 27, and Zepeda, 31, were supposed to fight July 7 at MGM Grand Conference Center. Baranchyk withdrew from that bout late in June due to a rib injury suffered during a sparring session.

Zepeda instead out-boxed San Antonio’s Kendo Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs, 1 NC) and won a 10-round unanimous decision in ESPN’s main event July 7.

If Zepeda, of La Puente, California, and Ramirez, of Avenal, California, win their upcoming bouts, Zepeda could get another shot at Ramirez. Zepeda lost a debatable, 12-round majority decision to Ramirez in their fight for Ramirez’s WBC 140-pound crown in February 2019 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Ramirez might have to win three more fights, however, for Zepeda’s quest for a rematch to materialize.

The WBC/WBO champion is a 7-1 favorite to defeat Ukraine’s Postol (31-2, 12 KOs) in a main event ESPN+ will stream Saturday night from MGM Grand Conference Center (7:30 p.m. ET; 4:30 p.m. PT). Ramirez is expected to box Josh Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) in his following fight if he tops Postol and the Scottish southpaw successfully makes a mandatory defense of his IBF junior welterweight title against Thailand’s Apinun Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs) on September 26 in London.

A mandated defense of Ramirez’s WBO title also is due. England’s Jack Catterall (25-0, 13 KOs) is the WBO’s number one challenger.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Zepeda-Baranchyk Title Eliminator Confirmed For October 3 In Las Vegas

A second attempt to get Jose Zepeda and Ivan Baranchyk in the ring now serves as the tablesetter for an October to remember.

The pair of junior lightweights are now officially set to collide on October 3, live on ESPN+ from the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was formally announced on Tuesday by Top Rank, as part of a massive five-week stretch of events airing on ESPN platforms.

This particular matchup comes three months after their previously scheduled July 7 ESPN headliner. Baranchyk was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury suffered late in training camp. Zepeda (32-2, 25KOs; 2NC) remained on the telecast, scoring a ten-round decision win over Kendo Castaneda.

Less than three months later comes a new fight date along with increased stakes—the winner will become the number-one contender to reigning unified WBC/WBO junior welterweight titlist Jose Ramirez (26-0, 17KOs).

“At this point I believe I deserve a title shot and a win against Baranchyk will cement just that,” Zepeda told Boxing Scene of the rescheduled contest.

Both career losses for Zepeda came in title challenges, interesting carrying bad luck on each occasion as well as the immediate aftermath. The La Puente, California-based contender suffered a freak shoulder two rounds into his July 2015 challenge of then-unbeaten lightweight titlist Terry Flanagan on the road in Manchester, England. Four months later came a truncated attempt at a bounceback fight, when a clash of heads ended his October 2015 bout with Jose Alfaro after just one round.

A seven-fight win streak followed leading into his title challenge of Ramirez last February. Zepeda once again hit the road, traveling to Fresno where he came up just short in a 12-round majority decision which many observers felt could have gone his way. Three months later, Zepeda once again saw an attempt to return to the win column end in a No-Contest, as a clash of heads ended his May 2015 bout with Eleazer Valenzuela after three rounds.

Two wins have since followed, including a 10-round decision win over former two-division titlist Jose Pedraza last September in Las Vegas.

Baranchyk (20-1 13KOs) still awaits his first fight of 2020 while angling for a second title run.

The 27-year old Belarusian—originally from Russia but who now fights out of Miami, Oklahoma—well proved his worth on his rise to contention. Baranchyk arrived at the title stage armed with an 18-0 record on the strength of wins over six unbeaten opponents as well as convincing victories over Abel Ramos—a recent secondary title challenger—and Petr Petrov prior to entering the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) 140-pound tournament.

A career-best performance came of the quarterfinal round, which saw Baranchyk bludgeon then-unbeaten Anthony Yigit en route to a 7th round stoppage and the IBF junior welterweight title in their October 2018 affair. His reign was one and done, dropping a competitive but clear 12-round decision to eventual tournament winner Josh Taylor in their semifinal match last May on the road in Scotland.

Baranchyk has since rebounded with a one-sided fourth round stoppage over Gabriel Bracero last October in New York City.

[Cent0089]

Looking forward for this one

[TheBeast]

possible foty... jose by body work

[JxhDel.]

I sense a technical dominant performance by Zepeda.

[DrDuke]

A quite even matchup, it can also become an action-packed affair. I believe, Baranchyk can push Zepeda to the limit, but Zepeda is a more sound boxer technically, he should outbox Baranchyk. Even if Baranchyk edges it a little bit, he won't be likely to be given a decision. I favor Zepeda on points.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ivan Baranchyk: Jose Zepeda is not an easy opponent, but I am ready to fight with anybody

Former IBF junior welterweight titleholder Ivan Baranchyk will face former two-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda in a 10-round contest at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Baranchyk, who is rated No. 3 by The Ring at 140 pounds, and Zepeda, who is rated No. 6, were due to meet in July, however, the Russian sustained a rib injury and the bout was postponed.

Now fit to fight, Baranchyk is ready to resume hostilities in an eagerly anticipated crossroads matchup that will have significant ramifications for the talent-laden division and position the winner closer to world title opportunity.

“It is a tough fight,” Baranchyk (20-1, 13 knockouts) told The Ring through co-promoter Max Alperovich of Fight Promotions from his Miami training base prior to leaving for Las Vegas. “He’s not an easy opponent, but I am ready to fight with anybody.

“It’s not 50-50, I am very confident. I will break him (laughs) towards the middle of the fight with pressure.

“After this fight, I hope to face [WBC and WBO titleholder Jose] Ramirez for the world title.”

The stocky 27-year-old pressure fighter has had a good training camp with Pedro Diaz and feels that the acclaimed trainer has helped him improve.

“He’s the best coach I have trained with and I like his style,” said Baranchyk. “We spend a lot of time on technique and strategy, something I think I needed to improve on, and the Cuban school of boxing helps a lot.”

Alperovich, who first spotted Baranchyk in the amateurs, feels his fighter has grown from the loss to The Ring Magazine, WBA and IBF titleholder Josh Taylor last May.

“He has settled down to a point where he knows exactly how to strategize the fight,” said the promoter. “I think he’s finally learned how to be patient instead of coming in trying to take somebody’s head off. Unfortunately, it took a loss to realize that.

“Zepeda is dangerous, but we’ve prepared very well. I think we’re going to see a new Ivan this time. Ivan is going to make a big statement and it’s going to be the beginning of a new journey for him. I think the time has come where he’s gonna go forward and win every fight and not stop until he gets the world title.”

Zepeda (31-2, 25 KOs) turned professional in 2009. The Mexican-American sharpshooter won his first 23 fights before suffering a dislocated left shoulder against Terry Flanagan in a bout for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Flanagan was awarded a second-round TKO victory.

After recovering, Zepeda worked his way toward a WBC 140-pound title shot against Ramirez. He gave a strong account of himself but dropped a close decision. The 31-year-old rebounded strongly with a hard-fought win over former two-weight world titleholder Jose Pedraza and most recently Kendo Castaneda.

The Baranchyk-Zepeda bout will be televised on ESPN+

[Cent0089]

Is there some info about undercard ?

[jockpunk]

Betting zepeda hard at +115.

[jujigatame]

Great fight. These are the 2 best guys in the division outside the really big names (Taylor, Ramirez, Prograis) and it's super evenly matched.

[Cent0089]

Betting zepeda hard at +115.

That mean Zepeda is betting favorite ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Zepeda vs Baranchyk predictions

Who wins? Our staffers have their picks.

Scott Christ

Both of these guys are good fighters, solid contenders at 140. Zepeda is a much better, more technically sound boxer than Baranchyk, who in that sense is sort of ass for the level he fights at, but man, I just cannot shake the fact that I’ve seen Zepeda fade late against both Jose Ramirez and Jose Pedraza, a close loss and a win, and even had his spots of either fatigue or defensive lapses against Kendo Castaneda, another fight he won. And Baranchyk just does not stop going. He’s got a huge engine, he fights at basically the same aggressive pace for an entire fight, and we know he can do it for 12. Zepeda has OK power so Baranchyk will have to respect that, but Josh Taylor couldn’t finish Baranchyk, and it’s not like he didn’t land the shots or try to get him out.

It might sound like I’m about to pick against Zepeda, but I’m not, and I’ll tell you why: Zepeda also has shown toughness in fights, has never been stopped outside of a fluke injury to his shoulder, and Baranchyk’s style, while aggressive, is generally recklessly aggressive. He doesn’t set much up, which can work OK against guys he can overwhelm and catch clean at some point anyway, but I think even if he hurts Zepeda he might have trouble actually finishing it with follow-up attacks. I think this is basically 50/50, but I’m going with Zepeda to build up enough of a lead that he hangs onto it despite some rocky moments. Zepeda MD-12

Wil Esco

Jose Zepeda is a pretty patient southpaw with pretty good technical ability, and can put together some accurate punches, but I have to wonder if his patience isn’t going to allow Ivan Baranchyk to gain exactly the kind of forward momentum he thrives on. Baranchyk won’t really be looking for a boxing match anyway, and if he can make it a rugged fight I think he can outwork Zepeda to win rounds.

Thus, for me, it becomes a question of whether or not Zepeda is good enough to continually pick off Baranchyk in the matador role. I have a hunch he won’t be able to effectively do that over the duration and that will allow Baranchyk to fight in his preferred rhythm more often than not. I’ll take Baranchyk to win a 116-112 type of decision. Baranchyk UD-12

Patrick L. Stumberg

Watching tape for this pick, it’s truly wild how Zepeda can go from “makes Baranchyk look stupid” to “gets bullied and demolished” from one round to the next. The guy who successfully matador’d Jose Ramirez for a decent chunk of their fight is the same guy who got walked down by Kendo Castaneda at points. He’s obviously immensely skilled, but he pendulums between outstanding and unremarkable like few others.

If both men fight at or near the peak of their abilities, Zepeda wins this easily; Baranchyk lacks the technicality in his pressure that Ramirez used to take over late, and Zepeda’s both durable enough to withstand stray shots and powerful enough to potentially put “The Beast” on his ass should he get too eager to press the issue. If “Chon” gets complacent and lets Baranchyk land the sort of power punches Castaneda did, however, he’s going to sleep. Acknowledging that Zepeda could very easily throw this away, I favor him to utilize his technique and reach advantage to largely avoid Baranchyk’s haymakers and punish him at range for a competitive but clear decision win. Zepeda UD-12

Lewis Watson

I’m finding it near impossible to split these two. Zepeda has more tools in his toolbox, but Baranchyk is relentless, gritty, teak-tough and the definition of a pressure fighter. Zepeda has power himself and will have to gain the respect of the Belarusian in the early stanzas to be allowed room to work to his own gameplan. I have to favour Baranchyk over the championship distance just by nicking tight rounds where Zepeda isn’t able to get enough off. This will probably be a nightmare to score, with Baranchyk pinching a split. Baranchyk SD-12

And the staff winner is...



We have a draw (2-2)!

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Betting zepeda hard at +115.

That mean Zepeda is betting favorite ?

No underdog

I agree zepeda takes this

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live from The Bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Top Rank presents:


Full Card (ESPN+ | 7:30pm ET)

Vacant WBC Silver Super Lightweight Championship
Jose Zepeda (32-2, 25 KOs) vs. Ivan Baranchyk (20-1, 13 KOs)

10 Round Lightweight Bout
Gabriel Flores Jr (18-0, 6 KOs) vs. Ryan Kielczewski (30-4, 11 KOs)

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Guido Vianello (7-0, 7 KOs) vs. Kingsley Ibeh (5-1, 4 KOs)

4 Round Featherweight Bout
Duke Ragan (1-0, 1 KO) vs. John Moraga (1-1, 1 KO)

4 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Frevian Gonzalez (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Carlos Marrero (2-3-1, 0 KOs)

4 Round Heavyweight Bout
Mitchell Sipe (debut) vs. Jimmy Barnes (1-0, 1 KO)

4 Round Featherweight Bout
Haven Brady Jr (debut) vs. Gorwar Karyah (2-1, 2 KOs)

4 Round Welterweight Bout
JJ Mariano (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Matthew Reed (1-0, 1 KO)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone gonna watch this?

Only boxing on tonight.

[jujigatame]

Definitely will watch. Not sure how much of the undercard I'll bother with, it's pretty lame.

[bobcatbox]

Anyone gonna watch this?

Only boxing on tonight.

I’m tuning in soon. Actually really excited for this fight. Good top ten matchup in a really competitive division. Betting odds say it’s gonna be a close one.

[jujigatame]

John Moraga was a former UFC flyweight title challenger. Not sure why he switched to boxing, he was more of a grappler.

[jujigatame]

I'm a little disappointed to learn this is only 10 rounds. These guys are easily good enough for 12.

[jujigatame]

Wow, Zepeda down twice in the 1st round. He didn't look super hurt either time but Baranchyk's aggression and unpredictability have Zepeda off his game for sure.

[bobcatbox]

Good fight! Tune in.

10-7 Baranchyk

[jujigatame]

Baranchyk knocked down in the 2nd it's called a slip. Then he's knocked down again and looks badly hurt, but comes back to drop Zepeda.

This fight is absolutely nuts. 5 knockdowns so far, 4 of them counted.

[Best Coast]

What a slugfest!!

[bobcatbox]

Let’s go!

[jujigatame]

Baranchyk down in the 3rd! Knockdowns in every round so far!

I think the scorecards should be even now, 27-27.