Xander Zayas Unifies Super Welterweight Titles in Thrilling Victory Over Abass Baraou

In a night of electrifying boxing action at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Xander Zayas etched his name into the history books. The young champion successfully defended his WBO super welterweight title and claimed the WBA crown in a hard-fought split decision victory over Abass Baraou.

A Clash of Titans

Zayas, with an unblemished record of 23-0 and 13 KOs, faced off against the formidable Baraou, who boasted a record of 17-2 with 9 KOs. Baraou, a former European champion, had been on an impressive eight-fight winning streak since his 2020 loss to Jack Culcay. The stage was set for a thrilling encounter, and the fighters did not disappoint.

Round-by-Round Action

From the opening bell, Zayas demonstrated his superior jab and body shots, setting the pace for the fight. Baraou, however, was not to be underestimated. The German fighter found his rhythm in the third round, landing a powerful left hook that pushed Zayas back. The back-and-forth action continued, with both fighters exchanging blows and making it difficult for the judges to score.

Zayas’ footwork and movement were particularly impressive, but Baraou’s counter-punching kept him in the fight. The fifth round saw Baraou landing several decent shots, but Zayas responded by stepping up the pressure in the second half of the fight. By the ninth round, Zayas’ fluid movement and combinations were clearly taking a toll on Baraou, who, despite his resilience, was looking increasingly outmatched.

A Historic Victory

The fight went the distance, and the judges’ scorecards reflected the closely contested nature of the bout. One judge scored it 116-112 in favor of Baraou, but the other two judges overruled this with scores of 116-112 for Zayas, ensuring his victory and the unification of the titles. With this win, Zayas became the youngest active unified world champion, a testament to his skill, determination, and rapid rise in the boxing world.

Undercard Highlights

The night was filled with exciting action beyond the main event. Giovani Santillan secured a ten-round points win over Courtney Pennington in their super welterweight bout. At middleweight, Euri Cedeno dominated Etoundi Michel William over ten rounds, winning all available sessions. Juanma Lopez De Jesus took a dominant points win against Conner Russell Goode at super flyweight, and Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro scored a final-round stoppage against Diuhl Olguin at super featherweight. In the sole four-rounder, Yadriel Caban Gerena won in the opening frame against Jeremis Hernandez-Torres.

A Night to Remember

The evening in San Juan was a celebration of boxing at its finest. Xander Zayas’ unification of the WBO and WBA super welterweight titles will be remembered as a defining moment in his career. As the youngest active unified world champion, Zayas has firmly established himself as a rising star in the sport, and his future looks brighter than ever.