Photo: Mikey Williams/TR – The pride of Puerto Rico Xander Zayas (19-0, 12 KOs) is our prospect of month.
“I want to face Vergil Ortiz before 2025.” – Xander Zayas
I love when my inspiration comes from readers’ questions. This time, it was my federal colleague, David-Alexandre Clapin, who surprised me by talking about Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas. ‘Dac’ remembered that the prodigy from San Juan is the youngest boxer ever signed by Top Rank, and he recognized his next opponent, Damian Sosa.
So, who is this 22-year-old boxer, with a 19-0 professional record, that Bob Arum hurried to sign before he was even old enough to drink a beer after his victories?
The old cliché
A young boy enrolled by his mother in a boxing gym to learn how to defend himself against bullying he faced at school and in the streets of San Juan. First victory at the age of 6…
Followed by 11 national titles; 5 in Puerto Rico and 6 in the United States.
For a young Puerto Rican, choosing boxing is almost a given; TV only talks about Tito Trinidad, Hector Camacho, and Wilfred Benitez, true national pride.
At 11 years old, after the death of his coach, he was taken under the wing of Javiel Centeno. This new coach rebuilt him, piece by piece, teaching him that boxing is like a Lego game: you have to start from the basics.
After winning everything as an amateur, Bob Arum contacted his manager, Peter Khan, to sign him despite being just 16. The rumors circulating among promoters about Zayas pushed Top Rank to sign him despite his young age.
Why sign him so early?
Xander is a bright young man who quickly learned English. He resides in New York, where he considers Bruce Carrington and Mikaela Mayer as family members. Organizing a boxing card with a Puerto Rican in New York means filling Madison Square Garden and turning people away on fight night.
ESPN named him Prospect of the Year in 2021, so I might be a bit late…
Why is he a prospect?
He’s a very precise boxer, particularly skilled with his lead hand, and powerful on the counter with his right hand. But he goes beyond that: he knows he has to put on a show. He doesn’t hesitate to trade blow for blow and enter into a war at key moments in the fight.
He’s huge for the 154-pound category, standing at 6 feet 1 inch.
Although he has calmly built his career so far, he’s been talking a lot more lately. He claims that boxers like him could intimidate Terence Crawford at 154 pounds, and he’s issued a challenge to Vergil Ortiz for 2025. At 22, that’s often the case: you’re young, impatient, and ready to take on the best in the world.
Does he have any flaws?
He didn’t invent defense. I remember a fight against Jose Luis Sanchez where he took some unnecessary shots. Sometimes, he can lose effectiveness or throw very few punches in a particular round. That’s when he gets hit. Others have questioned his power after decision wins over Quincy LeVallais, Alexis Salazar Flores, and Ronald Cruz.
His next fight?
Friday, September 27th, on ESPN+ and Disney+, he’ll be in the co-main event against Damian Sosa. Sosa (25-2) is a tough fighter, who came to Quebec and was swept on points by Artem Oganesyan in a junior world championship. Since then, Sosa has surprised one prospect after another. He has never stopped improving.
Xander Zayas should win by a wide decision from the judges. Otherwise, I’ll look foolish for having written this piece about him.
With Top Rank behind him, Peter Khan as his manager, and all the advantages of being a Puerto Rican star in New York, it would be surprising if Xander Zayas didn’t get access to several world title fights in the coming years.
I’m already dreaming of classics against Vergil Ortiz, Tim Tszyu, or Charles Conwell.
