NO TRASH TALK REQUIRED
NEWLY UNIFIED 154-POUND TITLEHOLDER XANDER ZAYAS IS A GROWING FORCE IN A STRONG DIVISION, A RISING STAR IN PUERTO RICO’S BOXING LEGACY AND PROOF THAT GOOD GUYS SOMETIMES FINISH FIRST By Joseph Santoliquito
I n many ways, Xander Zayas has grown up before the boxing public’s eyes. At 23 years old, Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) is currently boxing’s youngest male titleholder in one of its hottest divisions, junior middleweight, and he is already making a name for himself beyond the ropes as well. After thrilling hometown fans in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by beating Abass Baraou to unify the WBA and WBO belts on January 31, Zayas jetted to San Francisco to take part in the Super Bowl halftime show headlined by recording artist Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny. The split-second appearance, opposite 2025 Prospect of the Year Emiliano Vargas, did wonders. Zayas was splashed across mainstream media outlets and lauded on social media. His popularity surged. And he plans on garnering more attention this year in a division full of ripe possibilities, like a fight against the winner of the WBC title fight between Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman, which took place after this issue went to press, or the keeper of the IBF belt, Josh Kelly. Then there is the possibility sometime late in 2026 of fighting the Vergil Ortiz-Jaron “Boots” Ennis winner, if that fight takes place. Long story short: Zayas is a hot commodity right now. The Ring caught up with this rising star to discuss everything from being recognized in strange places to how he got his start in boxing to how he views his fellow 154-pounders.
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