“As far as it being a great fight, yes,” said Zepeda to Fight Hub TV. “But I think I have a little more resources than Pitbull. I have more pressure. It’s going to be a very good fight. We know Lamont likes to stay there and exchange punches, and that’s going to make for a good fight.”

Zepeda believes his size and ability to manage distance could play an important role against Roach.

“I think what is going to benefit me is my distance,” said Zepeda. “I think I’m a little longer than him, and I know how to get in and out of range. I have to be very careful with his counterpunching. I think that’s going to work, along with body work.”

Roach was dropped early in his rematch with Cruz before rallying and making adjustments as the fight progressed. When asked who he thought won the bout, Zepeda gave Roach a slight edge.

“It was a very close fight. Boxing is subjective, but I felt Lamont won it by a little.”

Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) is returning for the first time since his unanimous decision loss to Shakur Stevenson. The 30-year-old contender spent the past year working on areas he felt needed improvement and now has an opportunity to capture the WBC lightweight title.

The winner of the Roach-Zepeda fight could move into position for a future unification bout in a lightweight division that continues to produce some of the sport’s biggest matchups.