NEW YORK, NY — Saturday’s fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico may have been overshadowed, as Xander Zayas became the youngest unified boxing champion with a decisive win. In New York, Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Steveson’s mega fight at Madison Square Garden set an attendance record with over 21,000 which stole the headlines.
But for Zayas, the WBO and WBA junior middleweight champion, it was a homecoming and one step closer to seeking unification of the titles, a division that is highly competitive. The Coliseo de Puerto Rico crowd was excited knowing that Zayas is a star. They are aware of the significance and fame that Zayas achieved with Hall of Famers Félix Trinidad, who was in attendance, Miguel Cotto, Héctor Camacho, and Iván Calderón.
A list of champions who showed their pride in the ring and names of an elite list that Zayas joined only adds to the credibility and illustrious history of Puerto Rican fighters who have put a stable on the sport. Zayas can only get better at his age, adding more to the history.
At 23, he is a superstar that boxing needs.
So one day the Hall of Fame induction will come, though not anytime soon. There is more to come after defeating Abass Baraou via split decision, a friend and former sparring partner. There is WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, Bakhram Murtazaliev with the IBF title, and Keith Thurman, a former champion at 147, also in the mix. And a potential fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the WBA interim champion, or with Vergil Ortiz Jr. who is a WBC interim title holder.
Confusing, yes, this division is causing havoc in boxing circles, though Zayas clarified something with a win, he is in for more stardom and big money fights. And Top Rank Boxing with Hall of Famer promoter Bob Arum put him in the right position, trusted hands and they have a loyal fighter who represents the sport well in and out of the ring.
Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou in San Juan, Puerto Rico Saturday night with two scorecards being 116-112 for Zayas and one going 116-112 for Baraou – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
“I feel amazing. I’m only 23, and I’m the youngest active unified champion,” he said. “And, I’m just getting started. When I heard the decision, I was a bit scared. But to be honest, I felt I pulled it off. I won at least eight or nine rounds. Maybe he got three or four.”
One judge had the fight, 116-112, for Baraou, which was overruled by two scores of 116-112 for Zayas (23-0, 13 KO’s). He can defend the titles and gain more in San Juan or New York City at The Garden, not timid about pointing out his favorite venue to fight. Regardless, this was another out of the Zayas handbook and went to his perfection, though always says there is room for improvement.
Both fighters Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas showed class and great sportsmanship to one another after going at it for 12 rounds Saturday night in Puerto Rico – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
He used his feet often in the fight, jabbing and landing short combinations. The game plan allowed Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) to overcommit as he pressed forward, and Zayas responded by landing quick counters and finding the center of the ring. In the fifth, Baraou had some success with a series of right hands and seemed to gain momentum, but Zayas stayed composed and continued boxing.
In the ninth, Zayas landed his best shot of the night, a perfect right hand that wobbled Baraou. Zayas went for the kill, but Baraou survived and dragged him into a toe-to-toe fight.
He quickly regained his composure and returned to the game plan, never straying until the final round, where he dazzled the hometown crowd with nearly a full round of tit-for-tat action. He hasn’t finished off opponents early as in previous fights and is going the distance.
“I hurt my left hand in the ninth round,” Zayas said. “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.”
Throwing The Punches: On the undercard, second-generation Puerto Rican standout Juanmita López De Jesús (5-0, 2 KOs) earned a six-round unanimous decision (60-53 3x) against Conner Goade (8-5-2, 7 KOs), but it wasn’t easy.
The 20-year-old southpaw boxed from the outside, landing single straight left hands or right hooks to the body. Goade pressed the action, but by round three, Juanmita found his rhythm and upped the pressure, nearly finishing him.
However, Goade did not crumble under the assault, forcing Juanmita to cruise in the later rounds on the back foot.
Shakur Is Destined To Be Number One: Stevenson, with Puerto Rican heritage, dominated Lopez at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” a four division champion taking the WBO junior welterweight title as he retains his WBC lightweight championship.
Lopez sustained the second defeat of his career and from the first round it could be seen that Stevenson was setting the pace.
A pace that gave Stevenson 11 of 12 rounds, using his defensive approach with a southpaw stance. It was a masterpiece, a fight that propelled him perhaps to top pound-for-pound best with possible mega fights moving up a notch to welterweight.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at Latinosports.com with coverage of boxing, MLB, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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