With all the talk surrounding a potential Junior-Welterweight Undisputed showdown, the spotlight this week is focused on two of the best Junior-Welterweights in the world (not named Taylor, Ramirez, or Prograis).  High ranking challenger / 2-time title contender 🇺🇸Jose “Chon” Zepeda (32-2-0, 25KO) and imposing former IBF World Titlist 🇷🇺🇧🇾Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (20-1-0, 13KO) will meet for what is an official Title eliminator, to get one step closer to fighting for a couple of world titles…..or perhaps all of them

BARANCHYK KEEPING EYES ON THE PRIZE

For Baranchyk, he last secured a decent win over 🇺🇸🇵🇷Gabriel Bracero, after he was ousted from the WBSS tournament by its eventual winner 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Josh Taylor; Also losing his IBF title that he won a fight prior against 🇸🇪Anthony Yigit.  The stocky Baranchyk poses a threat in the division due to his sheer will, and propensity to come forward at all costs.  Having a small sample taste of the title picture drives his hunger more towards getting another opportunity to earn some hardware.

CHON ZEPEDA KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE

Chon Zepeda classifies as one of those hard-lucked fighters who certainly has the skills to be a Champion, but in-ring circumstances got in the way of that happening.  His first title opportunity against 🇬🇧Terry Flanagan seen Zepeda’s night cut short due to suffering a left shoulder dislocation in the second round, thus Flanagan picking up the vacant 140 lb. title.

Zepeda kept at it, and earned another title shot 4 years later in 2019 against 🇺🇸Jose Carlos Ramirez.  Zepeda boxed incredibly well, but fell slightly short on the scorecards, but the respect he earned from pundits outweighed the verdict of the fight itself.  With some wondering if he could perform at that level again, he defeated 2-division titleholder 🇵🇷Jose “Sniper” Pedraza in an excellent boxing display over 10 rounds to further prove his stock in the Junior-Welterweight division.

As customary to the times, the fight will take place in “The Bubble” at the 🏟️MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This one will be broadcast on 💻ESPN+ streaming application  It is very likely that an Undisputed Junior-Welterweight contest between Taylor and Ramirez will happen before the winner of Baranchyk/Zepeda gets their shot at a title, so whoever wins this contest here will be in prime position to go for all the marbles, and have their respective shot at becoming an Undisputed World Champion.