NEW YORK, NY — Xander Zayas did not get the stoppage Friday night at Madison Square Garden and his fans at the Theatre went home disappointed about that. Though it was a shutout 10-round unanimous decision win over Mexican Damian Sosa.
Zayas said he will go home and review the fight, obviously believing as he always does that he could do better. But Sosa (25-3, 12 K0’s) was another test in a quest to fight for a title in the junior middleweight division. Zayas, the San Juan, Puerto Rico native and residing in Miami, FL, said he is ready to take on a top five contender.
Damian Sosa vs. Xander Zayas at the Theater at MSG on Friday night – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
But the prevailing thought is one or two more fights await before a title opportunity among the many belts that occupy the division among sanctioning organizations.
Regardless, Top Rank Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum who knows how to milk a young superstar into a champion, will begin the process and assure that the 22-year old Zayas has another fight by the end of this year or early next.
“He pushed me and elevated me to the next level,” the undefeated Zayas (20-0, 12 KO’s) said about Sosa.”I feel like I’m ready. Before, I felt like I was ready. But now I think I let everybody know that I’m ready for the elite names. Man, they said he throws 84 punches per round. I didn’t see that today. I did my job. Now, I just have to be calm, relax, and see what my promoter wants. I want whoever is in the top five.”
RAISE THAT FLAG 🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/ypjmgobeIu
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) September 28, 2024
It was the fourth time Zayas has appeared at the Garden, He does not like to disappoint his followers of Puerto Rican fans in New York. Likely, again. Zayas next June will highlight a Top Rank annual boxing event at the Garden on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Now, though, it’s planning for the next step or two before Arum and Top Rank petition for his opportunity at a title. The division is competitive with Mexican-American Sebastian Fundora, holder of the WBC and WBO belts.
Zayas quickly found his rhythm, sitting on his punches by the third round and answering Sosa’s pressure with sharp counterpunches. Whenever Sosa advanced, Zayas responded with precise power shots, alternating between body and head.
By the middle rounds, Zayas was in total command, buzzing Sosa with a right hand in the sixth. Despite seeking the finish, Zayas couldn’t put Sosa away, as the Mexican warrior held on until the final bell.
🇵🇷 Xander Zayas after his @trboxing win last night on Damian Sosa @TheTheaterAtMSG 🥊#TopRankBoxing #LatinoSports pic.twitter.com/eqGhkKI3t3
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 28, 2024
“I never saw the opportunity, never thought he was completely hurt,” he said. “I do what I have to do. I boxed my way to victory, 10-rounds. I am very pleased with my performance. I feel I did everything good. He threw a lot of punches. We did what we had to do. I feel I’m ready for the top ranked guys any of their sanctioning bodies and let them handle it. I would love to fight in December if they don’t have anything than next year.”
Also on the ESPN televised card junior welterweight Dominican southpaw Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs) secured a commanding unanimous 10-round points win over Kendo Castañeda (21-7, 9 KOs). Rodriguez took charge of the fight with body shots in the fourth round, followed by flurries of power punches in the fifth that caused a cut above Castaneda’s left eye. Scores: 100-90 2x and 99-91.
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Kendo Castañeda on Friday night at the Theater at MSG – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
Junior Welterweight: Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) halted Argentine veteran Marcelino Lopez (37-5-1, 22 KOs) in the sixth round. Polanco handed Lopez the first knockdown of his 17-year career with a sharp right uppercut in the third. Lopez survived, but Polanco forced him to take a knee twice in the sixth, leading referee Eddie Claudio to stop the contest at 2:08.
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