Puerto Rico’s Boxing Sensation: Xander Zayas
Puerto Rico’s boxing sensation, Xander Zayas, is gearing up for a significant milestone in his career as he prepares to compete for the WBO junior middleweight championship. This match, taking place in New York City on July 26, will see Zayas square off against Mexico’s Jorge Garcia, who recently made waves in the sport.
Confidence from Top Rank
Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, expressed his confidence in Zayas, highlighting the young fighter’s transformation from a promising teenager into a formidable contender since signing with the promotion at just 16 years old.
“Xander has shown tremendous potential and is now poised for his first world title opportunity,”
Arum stated.
Zayas’s Impressive Record
Having turned professional a year after joining Top Rank, Zayas boasts an impressive record of 21 wins with 13 knockouts. Now at 22, he is determined to secure a championship, motivated by the prospect of elevating Puerto Rico’s boxing legacy. Zayas commented,
“This is a dream I’ve worked tirelessly towards. Jorge Garcia is an ambitious opponent, but I am eager to raise the Puerto Rican flag high as I achieve this dream.”
Garcia’s Underdog Spirit
Conversely, Garcia (33 wins, 4 losses, 26 KOs) comes into the fight riding the momentum of an incredible upset victory against Charles Conwell, a previously undefeated fighter, in April. Garcia acknowledged the doubt surrounding his last fight but embraced the challenge, stating,
“I was the underdog and still managed to shock everyone. This fight will showcase my ability to seize my dream of becoming a world champion. I believe that Mexico will see a new champion on July 26.”
Exciting Fight Card
The intriguing matchup is part of a larger fight card that includes notable bouts featuring undefeated prospects like featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and junior welterweight Emiliano Vargas. Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) will face Namibia’s Mateus Heita (14-0, 9 KOs) for the WBC interim featherweight title in the co-main event. Meanwhile, Vargas, the son of former champion Fernando Vargas, will be looking to extend his record against Ecuadorian contender Alexander Espinoza (20-3-1, 9 KOs) in the opening televised match. ESPN will provide coverage of this highly-anticipated event.
