Xander Zayas Crowned World Champion at Madison Square Garden
The 22-year-old Puerto Rican boxer Xander Zayas has made history by becoming the youngest current world champion. Zayas conquered the vacant WBO junior middleweight title after a dominant decision victory over Jorge García Pérez at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. In his eighth fight at the Garden, Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) controlled the fight from the start, using his agility and counterattacks to neutralize García Pérez’s offense. Zayas kept his distance, tying up his opponent when he tried to close it. The three judges awarded the victory to Zayas (116-112, 118-110, 119-109), ending the eight-fight winning streak of García Pérez, 28 years old and originally from Mexico. In the last 30 seconds of the sixth round, Zayas connected with a right hand that sent García Pérez (33-4, 26 KOs) against the ropes. Although García Pérez recovered, Zayas continued to outperform him. Despite a promising eighth round from García Pérez, Zayas regained control in the ninth, responding with effective combinations. Zayas maintained dominance, connecting a high percentage of punches and making his opponent miss. According to CompuBox, Zayas landed 50 jabs and 19 more power punches than García Pérez, despite throwing 81 fewer punches. García Pérez connected 22% of his total punches and 24% of his power punches, while Zayas achieved 38% and 45% respectively. Zayas also outlanded his opponent in body shots, 59-31.Zayas, who currently holds the number 8 position in the junior middleweight ranking, is 22 years and 324 days old. The second youngest champion is Brian Norman Jr., in the welterweight category, with 24 years and 245 days.It’s incredible. It’s incredible to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and put the pride of my island where it belongs, at the top.
Xander Zayas
Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Wins WBC Interim Featherweight Title
In the co-main event, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington claimed the WBC interim featherweight title after defeating Mateus Heita by unanimous decision. Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) lived up to expectations. After a few close rounds, he began to connect body and head shots with his right counterattacks. Heita took several solid hits, but didn’t stagger. His activity decreased, and Carrington intensified his attack, dodging most of Heita’s blows. Carrington continued throwing combinations until the end, and the judges awarded him the victory (120-108, 119-109, 119-109). This was Heita’s first defeat, who now has a record of 14-1 in his first fight outside of Africa. Carrington is ranked number 6 in the featherweight rankings.After receiving his interim belt, Carrington turned his attention to WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, who was present in the audience. “I see you in the crowd,” Carrington said, pointing at Espinoza. “I want to fight you, brother. You already know. My team has contacted your team. I want to fight.”
In one of Saturday’s preliminary fights, Emilianio Vargas, son of former super welterweight champion Fernando Vargas, improved his record to 15-0 with a knockout in the second round against Alexander Espinoza at super lightweight. It was Vargas’s sixth consecutive knockout and the thirteenth of his career.
