Xander Zayas: A 2026 Full of Expectations
The WBO junior middleweight world champion, Puerto Rican Xander Zayas, has big plans for 2026. At just 23 years old, Zayas is currently the youngest world champion in boxing. Recently, Zayas signed a marketing agreement with Rimas Sports, a company co-owned by the renowned artist Bad Bunny, to expand his reach beyond the ring. This agreement includes sponsorships, marketing initiatives, and commercial partnerships, which will allow the champion to focus on bringing more victories to his homeland and continue the legacy of success of Puerto Ricans in boxing.Rimas Sports, which primarily focuses on Latin American athletes, also represents MLB stars like Ronald Acuña and Fernando Tatis Jr. and recently signed Puerto Rican boxer Juanmita López, son of former world champion Juan Manuel López. The relationship between Zayas and Bad Bunny is friendly, and the artist even shared a video celebrating Zayas’ recent victory. There is speculation about possible future collaborations between the boxer and the artist.The advertising and marketing agreement I just signed is to bring 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 beyond boxing.
Xander Zayas
Despite the support, Zayas is aware that he must fulfill his job in the ring and expects to compete three times in 2026. Sources close to Alofoke Deportes report that a unification fight is being negotiated between Zayas and WBA champion Abass Baraou, to take place in Puerto Rico in January. Zayas was hoping to have another fight before the end of the year, but explained why a December fight with his rival Vergil Ortiz fell through. The tension between Ortiz and Zayas began last year, when they exchanged comments on social media. Zayas agreed to fight Ortiz in Saudi Arabia in early 2025, but Ortiz chose to face Israil Madrimov. In August, Ortiz posted on social media that Zayas had a deadline to accept a fight offer. Zayas responded that the offer was not legitimate, as it did not include important details.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 obvious.
Peter Kahn, Zayas’ manager
The key point for Zayas was that, as a champion, he wanted the fight to take place in Puerto Rico.It wasn’t an offer. An offer means a payment, a date, and a place. What they sent didn’t include any of that. They wanted a 50-50 split for a fight in Las Vegas or California in December. That’s not a real offer. This was a conversation starter.
Xander Zayas
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.
