Pedraza to make 140-pound debut on Sept. 14 against Zepeda

Former lightweight world titleholder Jose Pedraza was expected to make his 140-pound debut on September 21 on a Top Rank Card. Those plans have changed.

FightNights.com has learned that Pedraza will make his junior welterweight debut earlier than anticipated.

Pedraza will face southpaw Jose Zepeda in a non-title bout on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old will return on the undercard to the heavyweight bout between lineal champion Tyson Fury and Otto Wallin.

Pedraza (26-2, 13 KO's), of Puerto Rico, last fought on May 25, scoring a ninth-round TKO of Mexico's Antonio Lozada.

Pedraza is still interested in campaigning for another world title shot at 135 pounds. However, the only bout that would pique his interest is a rematch with Vasily Lomachenko, who outpointed him the previous December in a lightweight world title unification.

Zepeda (30-2. 25 KO's), 30, of La Puente, California, also last fought in May against Eleazar Valenzuela. The fight was called off in the third round due to an accidental clash of heads. He also fought current unified 140-pound champion Jose Ramirez to a majority decision in February.

Zepeda is 7-1 with 2 NC since suffering a second-round knockout to former champion Terry Flanagan in July 2015. Zepeda is now training with well-known strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia for this fight.