Puerto Rican Boxer Xander Zayas: A Rising Star
Puerto Rican boxer Xander Zayas, currently the youngest world champion at the age of 23 in the junior middleweight division, is mapping out an ambitious plan for his career in 2026. Recently, he signed a significant marketing agreement with Rimas Sports, a company co-owned by the globally recognized Latin artist Bad Bunny. This partnership aims to amplify Zayas’ presence beyond the boxing arena by securing sponsorships and fostering commercial partnerships, allowing him to concentrate on his boxing pursuits and continue the legacy of Puerto Ricans in the sport.
“With this new marketing and publicity deal, I am gaining opportunities that I previously might not have had,” Zayas, who boasts an unblemished record of 22 wins and 13 knockouts, shared with ESPN. “While I know my abilities in the ring, this partnership is a tremendous step forward in elevating my career beyond just boxing.”
Partnership with Rimas Sports
Rimas Sports, which specializes in representing Latin American athletes, also counts on its roster prominent MLB figures like Ronald Acuña and Fernando Tatis Jr., along with fellow boxing talent, Juanmita Lopez—the son of celebrated two-division champion Juan Manuel Lopez. According to Peter Kahn, manager for both Zayas and Lopez, the relationship with Rimas developed naturally over several years, enhancing Zayas’ brand in the sport.
Zayas’ connection with Bad Bunny has been friendly over time, with the musician publicly celebrating Zayas’ recent championship victory backstage at one of his concerts. The boxer hinted at future collaborations with the artist, adding, “Having the biggest Latino musician advocating for Puerto Rican athletes is a remarkable opportunity for us.”
Focus on the Ring
Despite the strong backing from a global star, Zayas is primarily focused on his performance inside the ring. He is gearing up for what he hopes will be three fights in 2026, marking significant dates: one in January, another during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in June, and a concluding fight in December. Reports indicate that negotiations are underway for a unification bout against WBA champion Abass Baraou in Puerto Rico in January.
Zayas had aspirations for another fight before 2023 wrapped up, particularly against rival Vergil Ortiz, who has a scheduled match against Erickson Lubin on November 8. The anticipated confrontation between Zayas and Ortiz traces back to last year when tensions flared via social media after a fight between them fell through. Kahn revealed that Zayas was open to fighting Ortiz in early 2025 in Saudi Arabia, but Ortiz chose to face another opponent instead.
Rivalry and Future Prospects
The rivalry continued on social media, with Ortiz mentioning that Zayas had a deadline to accept a fight offer from Golden Boy Promotions. In contrast, Zayas dismissed the proposal, citing it lacked fundamental details such as compensation, date, and location—criteria he believes constitute a sincere offer.
“What they sent me wasn’t an offer—it was merely a starting point for discussion,” Zayas explained, emphasizing his preference for the fight to occur in Puerto Rico, which remains a sticking point in negotiations.
Looking ahead, Zayas is hopeful about the possibility of facing Ortiz during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in New York in 2026.
“That could be the fight, but I am open to various opportunities. I am not afraid of him, and I know he feels the same way. It just comes down to making the right business decision for both parties involved,” Zayas concluded.
