Xander Zayas will not be the primary Puerto Rican boxer to really feel at dwelling in New York, however Saturday, he set himself other than all who got here earlier than, turning into the youngest present world champion by capturing the vacant WBO junior middleweight title with a dominant choice win over Jorge Garcia Perez on the Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Preventing on the Backyard for the eighth time in his profession, Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) was in management from the opening bell, utilizing elusive footwork and counterpunching to quell Garcia Perez’s awkward however highly effective offense. As Zayas picked up on his opponent’s timing, he maintained distance — even when Garcia Lopez, standing in a nook after absorbing a mix, tried to herald Zayas. When Garcia Lopez closed the gap, Zayas tied him up.
All three judges awarded the struggle to Zayas (116-112, 118-110, 119-109). Garcia Perez, a 28-year-old from Mexico, noticed his eight-fight profitable streak finish.
Within the closing 30 seconds of Spherical 6, Zayas punctuated an alternate with a proper hand that despatched Garcia Lopez (33-4, 26 KOs) stumbling into the ropes. Garcia Lopez regained his footing, however Zayas continued to choose him aside.
Garcia Lopez gave the impression to be fading, however he had a powerful eighth spherical, throwing extra combos. However within the ninth, Zayas prevented harm and answered with combos. He was in management the remainder of the best way, touchdown at a excessive proportion and making Garcia Lopez miss.
Based on CompuBox, Zayas landed 50 extra jabs and 19 extra energy punches than Garcia Lopez regardless of throwing 81 fewer punches. Garcia Lopez related on 22% of his whole punches and 24% of his energy punches, whereas Zayas related on 38% of his whole punches and 45% of his energy punches. Zayas additionally held a 59-31 edge in physique pictures landed.
“It is superb. It is superb to signify Puerto Rico on the highest stage and to simply put the pleasure of my island the place it belongs — on the prime,” mentioned Zayas, who’s the newest fighter from Puerto Rico to win the junior middleweight world championship.
Zayas, who’s No. 8 within the ESPN junior middleweight rankings, is 22 years, 324 days previous. The following-youngest champ is welterweight Brian Norman Jr. at 24 years, 245 days.
Within the co-main occasion, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington gained the vacant WBC interim featherweight title with a one-sided choice win over Mateus Heita.
Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) was a heavy favourite and it confirmed. After a comparatively aggressive first three rounds, Carrington started connecting to the physique and head with right-hand counters.
Heita took a number of strong punches to the pinnacle within the center rounds however was not wobbled. His exercise diminished, and Carrington ramped up the assault whereas eluding most of Heita’s large punches. Carrington threw combos till the ultimate bell, and the judges rewarded him with a unanimous choice (120-108, 119-109, 119-109).
It was Heita’s first lack of his profession, dropping the 27-year-old from Namibia to 14-1 in his first struggle outdoors Africa. Carrington is No. 6 in ESPN’s featherweight rankings.
After receiving his interim belt, Carrington turned his deal with WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, who was ringside. “I see you within the crowd,” Carrington mentioned, pointing at Espinoza. “I would like you, bro. You already know. My crew has known as your crew. I need to struggle.”
On the undercard Saturday, Emilianio Vargas, son of former mild middleweight champion Fernando Vargas, improved to 15-0 with a 42-second knockout of junior welterweight Alexander Espinoza. It was Vargas’ sixth straight knockout and the thirteenth of his profession.