Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Perez: A Title Fight
Xander Zayas is gearing up for a significant challenge as he steps into the ring to vie for the vacant WBO junior middleweight championship against Jorge Garcia Perez this Saturday in New York City. The highly anticipated match will take place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden and is scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET. This bout marks Zayas’ first opportunity to compete for a world title, adding extra pressure to the already talented fighter.
Fighter Profiles
Currently boasting an undefeated record of 21 wins, including 13 by knockout, Zayas has proven himself to be a formidable contender. He has achieved three stoppage victories in his last five bouts, with a notable ninth-round TKO against Slawa Spomer earlier this year. Originally hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zayas now resides in Florida and has quickly ascended the ranks since his professional debut in 2019. He is recognized as the No. 8 fighter in ESPN’s junior middleweight rankings.
On the other end of the ring, Jorge Garcia Perez, a seasoned boxer from Sinaloa, Mexico, enters the fight with a record of 33 wins, 4 losses, and 26 knockouts. After suffering a defeat to Etoundi Michel William in January 2023, Garcia Perez has gone on to secure a remarkable eight-fight winning streak, including significant victories over 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell and title challenger Kudratillo Abdukakhorov.
Co-Main Event: Bruce Carrington vs. Mateus Heita
For boxing fans, the night is poised to be exhilarating with the co-main event featuring Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, who will compete for the WBC interim featherweight title against Mateus Heita. Carrington, who remains undefeated at 15-0 with 9 knockouts, hails from Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood—birthplace of legendary champions like Mike Tyson and Zab Judah. Currently positioned as the No. 6 featherweight by ESPN, Carrington is known for his power, speed, and defensive prowess. In contrast, Namibian fighter Heita, who holds a pristine record of 14 wins with 9 KOs, will be making his U.S. debut, having fought primarily in his home country.
Statistics and Odds
As both bouts loom, let’s delve into some standout statistics. Zayas made headlines for being the youngest fighter ever signed by Top Rank at age 16, and he has fought at Madison Square Garden seven times, though only managed two stoppage wins in these bouts. Zayas averages 67.8 punches thrown per round, significantly exceeding the division’s average, coupled with a 30.9% landing rate for body punches. On the odds front, Zayas is heavily favored at -425, with +340 odds for a victory by knockout or TKO.
Conversely, Garcia Perez has landed an average of 15.4 punches in his last three fights, demonstrating his capacity for aggression. His knockout percentage stands at an impressive 78.79%. In their clash against Conwell, he managed to outwork the Olympian, throwing 750 punches to secure a split decision.
For Carrington, Saturday marks his first 12-round bout, while Heita has fought an average of just over 5 rounds per fight. As they prepare for battle, the odds reflect Carrington as a heavy favorite at -5000 against the underdog Heita, with odds set at +1600 for a shock win.
Conclusion
With such compelling matchups, boxing enthusiasts are in for a thrilling evening filled with potential history-making moments.
