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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayFormer super middleweight world champion Andre Dirrell believes Lamont Roach has the talent to defeat William Zepeda, but says the former world champion cannot afford to let another fight come down to the scorecards.
Roach meets Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1, looking to become a two-division world champion. Ahead of the bout, Dirrell pointed to Roach’s recent run of close fights and urged him to create more separation on the cards.
“You can’t trust the judges,” Dirrell said to Fighthype. “If it’s possible, don’t leave it in the judge’s hands. Any close fight Lamont has, we see draws, right? Or a potential loss. I just feel like he’s too calm.”
Dirrell’s comments come after Roach fought to back-to-back majority draws against Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz. Rather than questioning the judging itself, he argued that Roach’s measured style often creates rounds that are open to interpretation.
“He really needs to turn up the heat,” Dirrell said. “He doesn’t fight with a sense of urgency when he needs to fight with a sense of urgency. It’s good that you’ve got such a calm mind… but when lightning strikes, you’ve got to go faster. You’ve got to produce more.”
Dirrell believes that approach becomes even more important against Zepeda, whose relentless pressure is built around constant activity.
“Zepeda is going to come, and he’s going to punch, punch, and punch,” Dirrell said. “He’s going to be close enough to do it.”
Although Dirrell wants Roach to be more decisive offensively, he still believes the former world champion has the skills to trouble Zepeda. He described Roach as an excellent counterpuncher with the ability to read predictable attacks and capitalize on mistakes.
“Lamont is going to be able to read that,” Dirrell said. “That’s the advantage he has in that fight.”
The key, according to Dirrell, isn’t changing Roach’s style. It’s making sure his work is decisive enough that the judges aren’t left with another difficult scorecard.

Will Arons is a veteran boxing journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the global fight landscape. A contributor to Boxing247.com, he reports on championship bouts, major developments, and rising prospects with a focus on accuracy, sourcing, and industry-informed analysis.
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Boxing • Boxing News • Lamont Roach Can’t Leave Zepeda Fight To The Judges, Says Andre Dirrell
Last Updated on 2026/07/14 at 1:12 AM

















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