Ivan Baranchyk confident before Jose Zepeda bout with Pedro Diaz in corner

Junior welterweight Ivan Baranchyk meets battle-tested Jose Zepeda on Saturday, Oct. 3. The winner could be in line for a title shot. 

Ivan Baranchyk impressed many throughout his journey in the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament and won the IBF title in the process. Unfortunately, he also faced adversity but handled it admirably.

Baranchyk (20-1, 13 KOs), 27, from Miami, Florida by way of Belarus, stopped Anthony Yigit in 2018 to win the IBF belt but lost it a little over six months later in a decision defeat to Josh Taylor, who eventually won the tournament.

Taylor put Baranchyk on the canvas twice in the sixth round, but Baranchyk showed tremendous heart by staying in the fight and closing the margin on the scorecards. He lost by unanimous decision, but two of the judges scored it 115-111, which isn’t bad considering that the knockdowns cost Baranchyk two points.

On the night of Baranchyk’s first loss, there was a new face in his corner. He replaced longtime trainer Pedro Diaz with Freddie Roach. In hindsight, Baranchyk believes that decision was a mistake.

When asked by FanSided if things might have gone differently with Diaz in his corner, Baranchyk responded, “I think much better. This is past now. I’m looking [towards] the future.”

Roach is one of the best trainers in boxing history. He guided Manny Pacquiao’s success and helped develop him into one of the best boxers of all time, but the chemistry between a fighter and trainer is vital. Baranchyk’s bond with Diaz just works.

“It’s my style,” said Baranchyk of Diaz’s coaching methodology. “I like to train with him. I like training with Pedro.”

Ivan Baranchyk is undefeated when Pedro Diaz is in his corner. Jose Zepeda will put that streak to the test.

Baranchyk reunited with Diaz after his loss to Taylor and stopped Gabriel Bracero in the fourth round of their matchup last October.

Baranchyk readies for a path back to a championship, starting with a WBC title eliminator against Jose Zepeda on Saturday, Oct. 3. He was supposed to fight Zepeda in July but had to pull out of the fight after sustaining a rib injury while sparring.

Baranchyk told FanSided that the injury wasn’t as significant as a break, but bad enough to keep him out against Zepeda. Zepeda fought Kendo Castaneda in Baranchyk’s place, whom he defeated by unanimous decision.

Baranchyk wasn’t overly impressed with Zepeda’s performance.

“Yeah, I watched the fight,” said Baranchyk. “I don’t see any performance from Zepeda. I think it’s an easy fight for him. Easy fight. Easy win.”

Zepeda didn’t do anything that wowed Baranchyk, but he respects Zepeda as a boxer, which he should.

Zepeda (32-2, 25 KOs), 31, of La Puente, California, gave WBC and WBO champion Jose Ramirez all he could handle back in February of 2019. He lost by majority decision to Ramirez but opened a lot of eyes with his display. Zepeda also thoroughly outboxed former two-time champion, Jose Pedraza, last September.

“He’s a good boxer,” said Baranchyk of Zepeda. “He’s a puncher. He has good technique. It will be a great fight.”

Baranchyk wants to avenge his only loss to Taylor, but it’s not his top priority. He mapped out his ideal path to not just one title, but all four.

“Yes, of course I want a rematch [with Josh Taylor],” said Baranchyk. “But first, I want to get two belts from Ramirez, and then I want a unified fight with Josh Taylor.”

Baranchyk is confident that he has what it takes to be the best junior welterweight in the world. He has lofty goals, but they’re within reach. However, Zepeda is a significant obstacle that could turn Baranchyk’s dream into a nightmare.

You can watch Ivan Baranchyk vs. Jose Zepeda live on Saturday, Oct. 3, on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET.