Xander Zayas Becomes Youngest Current World Champion

Xander Zayas became the youngest current world champion at age 22 with a dominant, unanimous decision win against Jorge Garcia Perez of Mexico last Saturday. Zayas secured the vacant WBO junior middleweight title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He joins several Puerto Rican boxers who have felt right at home in New York. How will the world champion follow this up?

Puerto Rico Has a New World Champion

This was the eighth time Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) fought at the Garden. He was in control from start to finish. Garcia Perez (33-4, 26 KOs) entered the bout with an eight-fight win streak. Zayas sent his opponent into the ropes in the 6th round, but didn’t score a knockdown. He used his impressive counterpunching and footwork throughout the fight, along with landing solid shots and maintaining distance. The judges scored the fight (116-112, 118-110, 119-109) all in favor of Zayas.

During his post-fight interview, Zayas said, “It’s amazing. It’s amazing to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and to just put the pride of my island where it belongs — at the top.” 

According to CompuBox, Zayas landed 50 more jabs and 19 more power punches than Garcia Perez, even though he threw 81 fewer punches. Garcia Perez connected on 22% of total punches and 24% of power punches, while Zayas connected on 38% of his total punches and 45% of his power punches. Zayas also led 59-31 in body shots landed.

Final Thoughts

Zayas joins all-time greats Miguel Cotto and Wilfred Benitez on the list of boxers from Puerto Rico who brought home the junior middleweight world championship. Fellow Puerto Rican Amanda Serrano has had a legendary career, including headlining the first-ever all-women card on Netflix at MSG on July 11. Canelo Alvarez has been the biggest star from Mexico for over a decade, while Puerto Rico has been looking for their next superstar in men’s boxing. It looks like he has arrived.