In a historic night for Puerto Rican boxing, Xander Zayas etched his name into the annals of the sport by becoming the youngest active unified world champion. The 23-year-old sensation defeated Abass Baraou via a hard-fought split decision to unify the WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.
Zayas, now boasting an impressive record of 23-0 with 13 knockouts, showcased his exceptional footwork and strategic prowess throughout the bout. His game plan, centered around swift jabs and short combinations, allowed him to capitalize on Baraou’s aggressive forward presses. Zayas’ quick counters and ability to control the ring’s center were pivotal in his victory.
The fifth round saw Baraou gaining momentum with a series of powerful right hands, but Zayas remained composed and stuck to his strategy. The ninth round was a turning point, with Zayas landing a perfect right hand that visibly wobbled Baraou. Although Baraou managed to survive and engage in a toe-to-toe battle, Zayas quickly regained his composure and continued to dominate.
The judges’ scores reflected the closely contested nature of the fight, with one judge scoring it 116-112 in favor of Baraou, while the other two judges scored it 116-112 for Zayas. The split decision underscored the competitive spirit of both fighters, but it was Zayas who ultimately emerged victorious.
In his post-fight interview, Zayas expressed his elation and determination, stating, “I feel amazing. I’m only 23, and I’m the youngest active unified champion. And, I’m just getting started.” He acknowledged a minor setback, revealing, “I hurt my left hand in the ninth round. I was jabbing a lot and he has a hard head, so I hurt my jab hand. But I figured it out, like all champs do. Like I told you before, champions find a way to win.”
Baraou, now with a record of 17-2 and 9 knockouts, graciously conceded defeat, saying, “Congrats to him. I’m proud of his performance. He did an amazing job. He beat me fair and square. He deserves it. I will come back stronger.”
The undercard also featured notable performances, including Juanmita Lopez De Jesus’ unanimous decision victory over Conner Goade. The 20-year-old southpaw demonstrated his skill and resilience, nearly finishing Goade in the third round but ultimately cruising to a 60-53 victory on all judges’ scorecards.
Other highlights included Carlos De Leon Castro’s sixth-round TKO against Diuhl Olguin and Yadriel Caban’s impressive first-round knockout of Jeremis Hernandez-Torres. The night was a testament to the vibrant and thriving boxing scene in Puerto Rico, with young talents like Zayas leading the charge into a new era of the sport.
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