Emerging Boxing Star Xander Zayas Shines at Madison Square Garden
New York, May 14th – At just 21 years old, rising boxing prodigy Xander Zayas delivered an impressive performance on Saturday night, defeating former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a dominant 10-round bout at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
Zayas (19-0, 12 KOs), hailing from Puerto Rico, showcased his skill and maturity beyond his years, effectively shutting out Teixeira (34-5, 25 KOs) with scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91. The young fighter’s attention to discipline and the unwavering support of his Puerto Rican fanbase were instrumental in this victory.
“Before you go 12, you’ve gotta go 10. I’m ready for any fighter they put in front of me,” said Zayas, who was making his 10-round debut.
The junior middleweight prospect demonstrated his poise and adaptability, adjusting to Teixeira’s awkward southpaw style and landing clean, powerful shots throughout the fight.
Zayas, ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 7 by the WBC, displayed his speed, precision, and aggression, peppering Teixeira with accurate punches and showcasing his ability to dictate the pace of the bout. The Puerto Rican fighter’s performance was met with enthusiasm by the New York crowd, who had gathered for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade festivities.
While Zayas acknowledged the challenges that await him in a stacked junior middleweight division, including the likes of Sebastian Fundora, Terence Crawford, and Errol Spence Jr., he wisely opted to “call out” a list of contenders for his next fights, including Erickson Lubin and Top Rank’s Vito Mielnicki Jr.
Zayas’ maturity and adaptability were on full display as he navigated the veteran Teixeira’s southpaw style and elusive movement, ultimately imposing his will and securing a dominant victory. This performance serves as another positive step forward for the young fighter, who continues to demonstrate the potential to become a main-attraction draw in the sport of boxing.
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