Junior Middleweight Sensation Xander Zayas Dominates at Madison Square Garden
Puerto Rican Day Parade festivities witnessed the 21-year-old rising star fulfill his lifelong dream of headlining a major boxing event at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
Xander Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory over former titleholder Patrick Teixeira in the Madison Square Garden Theater. After the fight, the young prodigy expressed his desire to face fellow top contenders in the division, including Erickson Lubin and Josh Kelly, as well as his friend Vito Mielnicki Jr.
“He knew how to survive in there,” Zayas said. “It was a tough test, but I passed it with flying colors.”
Currently ranked No. 5 by the WBO, No. 7 by the WBC, and No. 13 by the IBF, Zayas believes he is on the cusp of a title shot, with the WBO ranking providing his closest path to a championship opportunity. Although he had hoped to stop the former titleholder Teixeira in less than six rounds, Zayas praised the veteran’s resilience and skill, acknowledging the tough test he faced.
Reflecting on his first headlining bout, Zayas viewed the experience as a valuable learning opportunity, paving the way for future title challenges and more high-profile fights. The young boxer expressed his pride in going the distance for the first time, stating, “I did it today. I graduated against a former world champion.”
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