Xander Zayas aims for a dream 2026
The WBO super welterweight world champion, Xander Zayas, has big plans for 2026. At 23 years old, Zayas is the youngest world champion in boxing currently. Recently, he signed a marketing agreement with Rimas Sports, a company co-owned by the renowned artist Bad Bunny, to expand his reach outside the ring. This agreement seeks to boost sponsorships, marketing initiatives, and commercial collaborations for Zayas, allowing him to focus on bringing more successes to his homeland and continuing the legacy of Puerto Rican boxers.Rimas Sports, which also represents MLB stars like Ronald Acuña and Fernando Tatis Jr., sees in Zayas an opportunity for significant growth. The relationship between Zayas and Bad Bunny is a key factor, as the artist has shown his support for the boxer on several occasions. Zayas’ manager, Peter Kahn, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Now we have the biggest Latin musician in the world, who has Puerto Rican pride and wants to guide these athletes. For us, this was an obvious decision.” Despite Bad Bunny’s support, Zayas is clear that he must maintain his focus on boxing. His goal is to compete three times in 2026.The advertising and marketing agreement I just signed is to provide opportunities outside the ring that I probably wasn’t getting before. Everyone knows what I can do in the ring, but this agreement is huge for me as I plan to elevate my career outside of boxing.
Xander Zayas
Negotiations are underway for a unification fight between Zayas and WBA champion Abass Baraou, which could take place in Puerto Rico in January. Zayas was expecting another fight before the end of the year, but a fight with Vergil Ortiz, who will face Erickson Lubin on November 8, did not materialize. The tension between Zayas and Ortiz began last year, with cross-statements on social media. According to Kahn, Zayas agreed to fight Ortiz in Saudi Arabia in early 2025, but Ortiz chose to face Israil Madrimov. Ortiz stated on social media: “Your time will come, don’t worry. We have bigger fish to fry here.” In August, Ortiz posted on social media about the deadline for Zayas to accept an offer from Golden Boy. Zayas responded that the offer was not legitimate, as it did not include important details.[Top Rank] said they would like him to fight three times next year. Starting in January, the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day parade in June and then once more before the end of the year in December.
Xander Zayas
The key point for Zayas was that, as a champion, he wanted the fight to take place in Puerto Rico. Could a fight with Ortiz happen in 2026 during the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York? Zayas hopes so, but he won’t limit his options.It wasn’t an offer. An offer means a purse, date, and place. What they sent didn’t include any of that. They wanted a 50-50 split of pay-per-view for a fight in Las Vegas or California in December. That’s not a real offer. This was a conversation starter.
Xander Zayas
That could be the fight. We’ll see where the year takes us. I’m not afraid of him and I know he’s not afraid of me. It just has to be the right business deal for both of us.
Xander Zayas
