Jaron Ennis has been named the World Boxing Association (WBA) Fighter of the Month for June following his knockout victory over Xander Zayas, while Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez received Honorable Mention after capturing the WBA bantamweight title with a dominant win over Antonio Vargas.

The pioneering sanctioning body released its official June rankings, including all divisional movements for the month, and also confirmed the immediate discontinuation of the Bridgerweight division, which will no longer be recognized or sanctioned by the WBA.

Ennis stepped into the ring last Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and stopped the previously unbeaten champion Zayas via seventh-round technical knockout to capture the WBA super welterweight title. It was a commanding performance from the 29-year-old American, further strengthening his case as one of the sport’s elite pound-for-pound fighters and cementing his status as one of boxing’s brightest stars.

Meanwhile, “Bam” Rodríguez stopped Antonio Vargas in six rounds on June 13 in Arizona to become the new WBA bantamweight champion. The spectacular victory earned the gifted Texan this month’s Honorable Mention recognition.

The latest WBA rankings are now available and can be viewed in the rankings section of the organization’s official website.

Jaron Ennis stopped Xander Zayas to win the WBA/WBO Junior Middleweight titles in round seven of an exciting fight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In round one. Ennis landed a big right that put Zayas on the deck. In round three, Ennis was rocked (for the first time in his career) when Zayas landed a hard jab that was followed by a left that scraped across the chin. In round five, Ennis landed a perfect counter right uppercut to the chin that put Zayas on the canvas. Zayas was lucky to make it out of the round as Ennis applied beating.

In round seven, Ennis finished off Zayas when he landed another left hand on the inside and put Zayas on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:49.

Ennis, 153 lbs of Philadelphia is 36-0 with 32 knockouts. Zayas, 153.8 lbs of San Juan, PR is 22-1.

Emiliano Vargas Stops Bryce Mills in 4

Emiliano Vargas stopped Bryce Mills in round four of their 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Emiliano Vargas stopped Bryce Mills in round four of their 10-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Vargas landed a little check right hook as Mills lunged in that sent Mills to the canvas. In round four, Vargas dropped Mills with a straight left on the chin. Vargas then landed a big flurry that forced a referee stoppage just as Mills was falling to the canvas at 1:17.

Vargas, 138.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-0 with 15 knockouts. Mills, 139 lbs of Liverpool, NY is 22-2.

Whittaker Stops Rivera in 2

Ben Whittaker stopped Richard Rivera in round two of their 10-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Whittaker caught Rivera with a counter right to the side of the head that put sent him to the canvas. Seconds into round two, Whittaker landed a quick left hook that put Rivera down and the fight was stopped at 27 seconds.

Whittaker, 174.4 lbs of West Bromwhich, ENG is 12-0-1 with nine knockouts. Rivera, 173.8 lbs of Hartford, CT is 27-3.

Tucker Decisions Cedeno

Jahi Tucker won a 10-round majority decision over Euri Cedeno in a middleweight bout.

Tucker, 159.8 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 95-95 and is now 17-1-1. Cedeno, 158.8 lbs of La Romana, DR is 14-1-1.

Juanma Lopez stopped Alberto Motos in the opening round of their six-round flyweight bout.

In round one, Lopez landed a perfect straight left down the middle that Motos flat on his back and the fight was over at 2:05.

Lopez, 114 lbs of Caguas, PR is 6-0 with three knockouts. Motos, 113.8 lbs of Madrid, SPA is 6-3.

Dennis Thompson remained undefeated with a eight-round split decision over Edwin Rodriguez in a super bantamweight fight.

Thompson took two cards 79-73 and 77-75. Rodriguez won a card 77-75.

Thompson landed 212 of 1040 punches. Rodriguez was 131 of 562.

Thompson, 120.8 lbs of Philadelphia s 11-0. Rodriguez, 121.4 lbs of Juana Diaz, PR is 12-12-3.

Quincey Williams remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Jerome Baxter in a welterweight fight.

Williams landed 142 of 418 punches. Baxter was 98 of 466.

Williams, 150 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 7-0. Baxter, 150 lbs of Pittsburgh us 7-2.

Xander Zayas vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – WBO and WBA world junior middleweight titles

Xander Zayas: 153.8 lbs 

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis: 153 lbs 

Xander Zayas 

On how he’s feeling ahead of the biggest fight of his career…

“I feel amazing. I’m happy, I’m good, having fun…that’s all that matters.”

On what oddsmakers are underestimating about him…

“I will show tomorrow night why the 23-year-old inside me is a unified champion. There’s a reason for this – I have two belts and I earned them. I’ll keep them tomorrow night.”

On what show he’s going to put on for the fans…

“I’m going to put on the best show of my life. I’ll show what I’ve been working on, it’s a new version of me, and something people haven’t seen yet. I’m excited.”

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis 

On how he’s feeling 24 hours out…

“It’s that time. I feel great and we’re going to put on a beautiful show.”

On the key to knocking off Xander Zayas… 

“Listen to my team. The knockout will come. Be patient. Take my time, have fun, and be smart.”

On what Xander Zayas has coming for him…

Whatever he thinks – I have so many different styles. He doesn’t know how I’m going to come, or what Boots to even prepare for. We’ll see Saturday night.”

On the Puerto Rican presence in Brooklyn…

“It doesn’t matter to me. There could be 90% [Puerto Rican fans] in the arena, but at the end of the night they’ll be rooting for me.”

Emiliano Vargas vs. Bryce Mills – WBC USA Silver, WBO Latino & NABF Jr. super lightweight titles 

Emiliano Vargas: 138.6 lbs 

Bryce Mills: 139 lbs 

Emiliano Vargas 

On how he thinks the fight will play out…

“I’m excited. This will show the world that I’m ready for my world title. At the end of the day Bryce is in the way and I’m going to stop him.”

On what he sees when he looks at Bryce Mills…

“Come at me and get your a** kicked. He’s going to make all the mistakes and I can’t wait to shine.”

Bryce Mills 

On what he has to do to beat Emiliano Vargas…

“Our work is already done. The fight is won in training camp. Tomorrow we go out and it’ll be a celebration – get that big W and have some fun.”

On what the difference for him is coming off these last 16 wins…

“Mindset. Patience. A whole lot of development. I have the best team around me and my coaches have made me into the fighter I am today.”

On how he sees the fight playing out…

“I’ll have my way from the start and when I get in there it’s my fight.”

Ben Whittaker vs. Richard Rivera – WBC Silver lightweight title 

Ben Whittaker: 174.4 lbs 

Richard Rivera: 173.8 lbs

Ben Whittaker

On how he’s feeling fighting for the first time in the U.S…

“I feel good. He calls himself Popeye, but he’s more like an olive oil man. Everyone will see why I’m so special tomorrow night.”

On if he sees this fight ending in a knockout…

“I just feel like I’m better in every department. Whatever he wants to do I can do better. Tomorrow he’ll see why I’m most talked about.”

Richard Rivera 

On how he’s feeling going into Saturday night…

“I feel like I’ve already won. I’m living my dream…I’m blessed and overwhelmed with joy.”

On what he has to do to win this fight…

“What I’m going to do is what I’m going to do.”

Jahi Tucker vs. Euri Cendeno – IBF North American, WBC USA and WBO NABO middleweight titles 

Jahi Tucker: 159.8 lbs 

Euri Cendeno: 158.8 lbs 

Jahi Tucker

On how he feels going into the fight… 

“I feel amazing. I’m excited and I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m going to destroy him. He’s talking about all that murder stuff, but he’s never seen a murder in his life. So, we’re going to show him one.” 

On what he’s going to show tomorrow night…

“I can show you better than I can tell you. I’m the one, and it’s time to show that.” 

Euri Cendeno 

On how he feels right now…

“I feel great. I feel strong. I’m ready to put on a show for my Dominicans and my Mexican fans, for everyone out there. I’m happy about tomorrow night.”

ABOUT DAZN:

DAZN, the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA), is creating the world’s biggest sports entertainment platform. A leading sports streaming service in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Portugal, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the US and UK, its wide range of content covers top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions. DAZN’s football rights include Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, making DAZN the largest broadcaster of football in Europe. DAZN is the global home of women’s football, broadcasting the UEFA Women’s Champions League alongside top-tier domestic league and cup competitions.

DAZN’s portfolio features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP, PGA and the best in boxing and MMA. As the global home of NFL Game Pass, it is the only place for fans outside of the USA to watch every NFL match live.

DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment service, where fans from across the globe can watch, read, bet, play, share, socialize, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.    

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.

Emiliano Vargas and Ben Whittaker have vowed to dazzle on the very biggest stage, as their fights on the undercard of the blockbuster showdown between Xander Zayas and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis are announced for Saturday June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, exclusively live worldwide on DAZN – with Vargas facing Bryce Mills for the WBC USA Silver, WBO Latino and NABF Jr. Super-Lightweight titles and Whittaker meeting Richard Rivera for the WBC Silver Light-Heavyweight title.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM
Vargas’s clash with Mills acts as the co-main event on the card, and it’s another spotlight moment for the Californian starlet who has had an incredible year already. The 22 year old began 2026 with a starring role alongside Zayas in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show in Santa Clara in February, shortly after being named as The Ring’s 2025 prospect of the year ahead of his return to the ring later that month where he forced the retirement of Agustin Quintana after nine rounds of their co-main clash on another huge card, the unification showdown between Emanuel Navarrete and Sugar Nunez in Glendale, Arizona.

Vargas (17-0 14 KOs) will be looking for the 18th victory of his blossoming career in the Big Apple, but Mills (22-1 9 KOs) will have other ideas. The Liverpool, NY man fights for the third time in 2026 and defends the WBC belt that he won in February at Turning Stone in Verona with a fourth round stoppage of Tobias Green, and successfully defended the strap two months later in Rochester by forcing Julio Rosa to retire after three rounds of their clash.

“I have had an incredible start to the year, and I have no intention of slowing down,” said Vargas. “On June 27 at Barclays Center, I will step onto the biggest stage of my career on DAZN PPV, ready to seize this opportunity and make it clear to every champion in the division: “El General” is coming! ¡Vengo por todo!”

Whittaker (11-0-1 8 KOs) makes his American debut on June 27 and does so hot on the heels of a second emphatic first round KO win under the Matchroom banner. The 2020 Olympic silver medal man destroyed Braian Suarez in Liverpool a fortnight ago to rubber-stamp his trip Stateside, five months after making his promotional debut under Eddie Hearn with a late contender for KO of the year in his Birmingham, close to his Wolverhampton hometown.

The flashy Brit could make a big statement with a third KO in a row on his bow across the pond and send a message to the 175lb division – the exact same prize on offer for Rivera if he can hand a first pro defeat to his 28 year old foe. Rivera (27-2 20 KOs) steps back through the ropes for the first time since landing a first round KO win of his own in January 2025 in Connecticut, a second win in a row following a ten round triumph in his home state in April 2024, and ‘Popeye’ will be relishing his biggest stage since being edged out by Badou Jack in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of the World Heavyweight unification rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua in August 2022.

“I am really excited to make my American debut in the Big Apple on such a big card,” said Whittaker. “I’ve got a lot of love for the American fans, and we’ve developed a great relationship over recent years, so I can’t wait to get out there and put on a spectacular performance for them.”

“The British are coming, the British are coming!” said Rivera. “If Ben thinks he is going to my backyard to make a statement, history will repeat itself. I’m not gonna need a can of spinach for this fight. Ben might have the boxing world fooled, but I’m not convinced.”

A third fight announced for the undercard sees Jahi Tucker (16-1-1 7 KOs) take on Euri Cedeno (14-0-1 12 KOs) over ten rounds for the vacant IBF North American, WBC USA and WBO NABO Middleweight titles, with more undercard action to be announced in due course, all ahead of a stunning main event as Zayas puts his unified WBO and WBA World Super-Welterweight titles on the line against former unified Welterweight ruler Ennis.

(April 27, 2026) — The Puerto Rican star who began as a teenage prodigy and developed into a unified world champion is continuing his journey with the team that believed in him from the start.

Xander Zayas has signed a multi-year contract extension with Top Rank, keeping boxing’s youngest current two-belt titleholder with the promotional powerhouse as he enters the biggest fight of his career thus far.

The 23-year-old Zayas will defend his WBO/WBA super welterweight world titles against former unified welterweight world champion Jaron Ennis on Saturday, June 27 in Brooklyn, New York LIVE on DAZN PPV.

“We signed Xander at 16 and have watched him grow from a gifted teenager into a unified world champion,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “He won his first world title at 22, unified in his first defense, and is now preparing for the biggest fight of his career thus far. This successful partnership has grown his profile throughout the sports world and reinforces our confidence in Xander’s future.”

“I’m blessed to continue representing Puerto Rico at the highest level of the sport with Top Rank,” said Zayas. “Thank you for all these years and for giving me the opportunity to grow and bring glory to my country and family. Now it’s time to keep collecting victories and championships for many more years with the Top Rank family.”

“Xander’s path is a testament to Top Rank’s ability to develop talent the right way,” said Peter Kahn, Zayas’ manager. “We signed with them when he was just 16, and they’ve done a great job guiding him into a unified world champion. They also understand the Latino audience better than any promoter in boxing. Extending this partnership was the right strategic move as we now focus on more unifications, multiple divisions, global events, and defining Xander as one of the faces of the sport while building a lasting legacy at the highest level.”

Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) made history in March 2019 when he signed with Top Rank at age 16, becoming the youngest fighter ever added to the company’s roster. He steadily developed into one of the sport’s top young contenders, capturing regional titles in 2022 with victories over Elias Espadas and Alexis Salazar before rising to the No. 1 position in the WBO rankings. In July 2025, he defeated Jorge Garcia to capture the WBO super welterweight world title less than two months shy of his 23rd birthday. In his first defense, he became the first Puerto Rican to unify world titles on the island by outpointing WBA champion Abass Baraou in January.

NEW YORK – April 21, 2026 – DAZN, the world’s leading sports streaming platform, announced four additional boxing events headlined by five world champions and four undefeated rising stars, further elevating the company’s presence as the undisputed global home of boxing. The extensive spring and summer schedule encompasses roughly 20 bouts each week through June, culminating in the highly anticipated Xander Zayas vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis on June 27, live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

With less than two weeks to go until the boxing world sets its eyes on a marquee Las Vegas matchup featuring David Benavidez and Zurdo Ramirez, the newest of DAZN’s robust offerings include Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani; Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright; O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford, and Jesse Rodriguez vs. Antonio Vargas.

“At DAZN we are always looking to stream the best fights,” said DAZN’s CEO of Growth Markets, Pete Oliver. “After getting off to a stellar start in 2026 with some incredible fight nights, we continue to push the needle, giving fans – particularly here in the U.S.— unbeatable fight nights that further cement DAZN as the undisputed global home of boxing. Last week’s announcements and our agreements with TNT Sports and Top Rank is evidence of our progress.”

Adding to the excitement of DAZN’s unprecedented 2026 boxing schedule, the platform is also set to debut its monthly live boxing series, The Fight, in collaboration with TNT Sports, debuting on July 4 thanks to the groundbreaking U.S. partnership that will see monthly fight nights aired on TNT Sports’ U.S. networks and streamed globally on DAZN.

As a reminder, boxing fans can stay up-to-date on the latest storylines, previews, analysis, and more with Inside the Ring – DAZN’s premier boxing show hosted by legendary sports commentator Max Kellerman, The Ring Magazine’s senior reporter Mike Coppinger, and high-profile guests from across the sport. New episodes air every Monday and are included with a DAZN subscription. 

For DAZN’s full slate of events, please see HERE and schedule highlights below: 

UPCOMING EVENTS ON DAZN

Saturday, April 25

Jarrell Miller vs. Lenier Pero 

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Saturday, April 25

Jacob Bank vs. Paulinus Ndjolonimu 

Kolding, Denmark 

Wednesday, April 29

Skye Nicholson vs. Mariah Turner 

Melbourne, Australia 

Friday, May 1

Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 

Norfolk, Virginia

Saturday, May 2

Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani 

Tokyo, Japan

Saturday, May 2

David Benavidez vs. Ramirez

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Saturday, May 9

Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois

Manchester, United Kingdom

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Saturday, May 9

Angelo Leo vs. Ra’eese Aleem 

College Park, Maryland

Saturday, May 16

Dave Allen vs. Serhii Hrgovic 

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Saturday, May 23

Glory in Giza: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven 

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt 

Included in DAZN Ultimate 

Saturday, May 30

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford

Houston, Texas

Saturday, June 6

Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puelo 

Sheffield, United Kingdom 

Saturday, June 13

Jesse Rodriguez vs. Antonio Vargas

Glendale, Arizona

Saturday, June 13

Tommy Fury vs. Eddie Hall

Manchester, United Kingdom 

Saturday, June 27

Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis

Brooklyn, New York

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Last week’s fight announcements are just the latest example of DAZN’s robust offerings to viewers around the globe, particularly U.S. boxing fans, accentuated by the platform’s recent partnership with TNT Sports and multi-year media rights deal with Top Rank. The platform has also seen tremendous growth across sports as a whole, notably serving as the home for NFL Game Pass outside the U.S. Additionally, DAZN is the go-to provider for European football, exclusive home of NHL.TV in nearly 200 countries, global broadcast home of the NASCAR Euro Series (excluding the Netherlands and Romania), allowing fans to watch every race and championship in English, and most recently, the global home for NCAA March Madness in 40+ countries for free. Last summer, DAZN also made waves as the exclusive rights holder for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, providing access to fans for free around the globe. 

To take advantage of all DAZN has to offer, boxing fans can subscribe to DAZN Ultimate, ensuring access to 185+ fight nights and a minimum of 12 pay-per-views (PPV) per year.

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.

By Norm Frauenheim

Youth defines Xander Zayas and will continue to do so through at least his challenging date against Jaron “Boots” Ennis in an intriguing crossroads fight for both.

For the 23-year-old Zayas, it looms as an early milestone, a measure of maturity in his career path from a high school kid with a Top Rank contract.

For the 28-year-old Ennis, it’s an opportunity to finally deliver on his long-advertised potential, including a place among pound-for-pound contenders.

It’s compelling, mostly because it’s a steppingstone, a stage for the future. For now, it looks as if the key to that future is there for Ennis. 

Seemingly, he’s been emerging for years, always at the edge of crashing the pound-for-pound party but never quite getting there perhaps because of inactivity or Terence Crawford’s long reign of dominance.

Crawford is retired. The formal announcement this week of Ennis’ 154-pound bout June 27 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is a sign of renewed possibilities in a very active division. Never has Ennis had a better chance to announce his arrival. He talked as if he knew that at a formal news conference this week

“I think Xander bit off way more than he can chew,’’ Ennis, a former unified welterweight champion, said Wednesday in Brooklyn. “Come fight night, he’ll see. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the best in the world.”

Betting odds suggest that’s exactly what Ennis will do. He’s about a 3-to-1 favorite. By knockout?

“For sure,” Ennis said.

Given the difference in their ages, it’s an irony that Ennis, 1-0 at 154, is the challenger. With two pieces of the junior-middleweight title, Zayas is boxing’s youngest current champion.

But youth, often called fickle, might be Zayas’ problem against Ennis, who at 147 occupied and conquered bigger stages. That, at least, is a theory, one that helps explain the early odds.

“There’s levels to this and I’m going to show him that,’’ Ennis said. “It’s about legacy for me. I want to show the world why I’m the best.”

Legacy is one of the most overused words in sport. As Ennis enters his prime, however, he might have a better understanding of what it means than Zayas, still more prodigy than legend. For Ennis, legacy is now. For Zayas, it’s tomorrow.

Despite the promise and plaudits attached to champions barely out of their teens, the experience can often be a crucible.

David Benavidez, a Phoenix-forged fighter, is just the latest example. Benavidez — a former two-time champion, yet still unbeaten – won his first 168-pound title when he was 20, making him the youngest champion in the history of the super-middleweight division. He beat Ronald Gavril in 2017. Then, the belt was stripped because of a positive drug test.

A couple of years later, Benavidez regained the title, stopping Andre Dirrell.

In his first defense of his second title in 2020, an overweight Benavidez lost it on the scale and then took out his frustration with a punishing stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo. He was 23-0, 23 years-old and – yet suddenly — a two-time ex-champion without a loss on the ledger. Growing-up is hard to do.

Benavidez has. In what is still an evolving career, he has moved beyond 168 and Canelo Alvarez to a prime-time resume that includes a light-heavyweight belt and a much-anticipated Cinco de Mayo date May 2 in a bid to take Gilberto “Zurdo’’ Ramirez’ cruiserweight titles. He’s added a commanding personal presence to his command of the ring.

For Zayas, however, there are lessons from Benavidez’ formative years. There are also a couple of notable parallels: Zayas is 23-0 and 23-years-old. Welcome to the crucible.

Ennis wasn’t the only one to talk legacy Wednesday. Zayas did too.

“It’s always been about legacy,’’ said Zayas, a Puerto Rican living in Florida who grew up wanting to be Miguel Cotto in a Puerto Rican lineage that also includes Wilfredo Benitez, a 17-year-old champion, still the youngest ever. “Becoming the youngest world champion at 22 when I did it. Youngest unified world champion. And now fighting one of the best in the world in the division. It’s about legacy.’’

Maybe lessons, too. 

BROOKLYN, NY, April 8, 2026 – Today, in the heart of Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center, WBO and WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion Xander Zayas (23-0 13 KOs) and challenger, Philadelphia’s Jaron “Boots” Ennis (35-0 31 KOs), took to the stage to discuss their June 27 bout. The blockbuster fight is streaming live and exclusively on DAZN PPV, brought to boxing fans around the globe by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.

While Ennis aims to cement his status as a two-weight unified champion, the 23-year-old Zayas most recently unified both titles earlier this year in Puerto Rico after an exhilarating contest that yielded a split decision with Abass Baraou.The outcome notably solidified Zayas as the youngest unified ruler in the sport and the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight. 

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say:

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Chairman 

On how he’s feeling that the fight came together… 

“I still can’t believe it. One of the hardest jobs in boxing is to get Jaron “Boots” Enis fights. The great news is, thanks to the DAZN partnership with Top Rank, we started talking and all of sudden we said ‘I think we can make Xander Zayas versus Jaron Boots Ennis.’ I’m still in shock and I give the unbelievable credit that Xander deserves because he is a great fighter. He must have a massive set of cojones because what’s about to happen on June 27th is one of the toughest tasks in boxing.”

On not believing Xander would take the fight…   

“Dangerous, not just dangerous for him but dangerous for Boots because this kid is 23 and he’s one of the hottest young stars in the sport. I would be keeping him away from Jaron. If I represented Xander Zayas, there is no way I would let him take this fight. I’d be saying ‘listen, we’ll go to MSG, we’ll fill that out and we’ll do another homecoming fight in Puerto Rico. We’ll have Bad Bunny singing you out. We’ll milk it. We’ll do this, we’ll move up to middleweight, we’ve got years. But this fight is what boxing needs.’”

Todd DuBoef, President, Top Rank

On having their first major event with DAZN on the Calendar…

“We have a saying: ‘This is boxing.’ And I’m going to tell you something. This fight, this is boxing. This is what it’s about. Young kids, in their prime, going at it, putting it all on the line, and win or lose, they both win. That’s what makes this sport so great.”

On what he’s seen over the last year that’s put Xander in this position…  

“The confidence. We got Xander when he was so young, he was sitting in my office, he was like ‘Miguel Coto’. I just idolize ‘Miguel Coto’. But to see him physically mature, to see his intellect in the ring, to get used to the ups and downs, and then once you win that title, you just expand your horizon, you get more confidence, and he had so much confidence he goes after the boogieman, the guy that nobody wants to fight. We’re not holding him back, we’re letting the race car go.”

Jaron “Boots” Ennis  

On his mindset coming into this fight… 

“I think Xander bit off way more than he can chew. Come fight night, he’ll see. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the best in the world.”

On what he thinks made Xander take this fight… 

“You can watch my fights but when you get in the ring it’s a whole different story. I’m faster than you think. I’m stronger and I have a better IQ, too. He’s going to be in for a long night.” 

On the split of the money… 

“If he’s so confident, why didn’t he take the 55-45 split for the winner? I think that shows a lot. There’s levels to this and I’m going to show him that. It’s about legacy for me. I want to show the world why I’m the best and I believe in myself.”

On if the fight will end in a knockout… 

“For sure.” 

Xander Zayas 

On why this fight against Boots Ennis had to happen for him… 

“It’s always been about legacy. Becoming the youngest world champion at 22 when I did it. Youngest unified world champion. And now fighting one of the best in the world in the division. It’s about legacy. Anybody could have taken the easy route and just get an easy win and that’s it. I want to fight the best. I want to show that I’m the best every time I step into the ring. And that’s what I’m going to do on June 27.” 

On Ennis being a weight bully… 

“Because he has, I mean, everybody at 147 was always smaller than them. He was a big cop. 54 is different. You got these guys coming from 190 from 181, 85, 200. It’s different.”

What are his advantages in this fight against Ennis…

“Everything. I mean, [Ennis] has never faced an athletic fighter like me.”

On how the fight ends… 

“I never go out there looking for the knockout. But I promise I’m going to rip his heart out. I guarantee you that. He’s going to be uncomfortable. I’m going to show you come June 27.”  

Todd DuBoef, President, Top Rank

On having their first major event with DAZN on the Calendar…

“We have a saying: this is boxing. And I’m going to tell you something. This fight, this is boxing. This is what it’s about. Young kids, in their prime, going at it, putting it all on the line, and win or lose, they both win. That’s what makes this sport so great.”

On what he’s seen over the last year that’s put Xander in this position…  

“The confidence. We got Xander when he was so young, he was sitting in my office, he was like ‘Miguel Coto’. I just idolize ‘Miguel Coto’. But to see him physically mature, to see his intellect in the ring, to get used to the ups and downs, and then once you win that title, you just expand your horizon, you get more confidence, and he had so much confidence he goes after the boogieman, the guy that nobody wants to fight. We’re not holding him back, we’re letting the race car go.”

Javiel Centeno, Zayas’ Trainer

On Zayas wanting to fight Ennis…

“We’ve talked about Jaron Ennis in the past, and we’ve always been in agreement on things we’ve seen that we can take advantage of. Xander said this is the time to do it, and as a team we decided to take the fight.”

Bozy Ennis, Jaron’s Father and Trainer

On his thoughts for the June 27 fight…

“I think [Zayas] bit off too much. Boots can box and he can fight you inside. I want [Zayas] to take him [Zayas] to another level because Boots has so many different levels he can get to.”

Xander Zayas will defend his WBO and WBA World Junior Middleweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday June 27, live and exclusive on DAZN PPV, in an event brought to you by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.

Zayas (23-0 13 KOs) unified the titles in January in Puerto Rico in a thrilling contest with Abass Baraou via split decision, becoming the youngest unified ruler in the sport and the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight. The popular 23 year old returns to New York for his ninth fight in the Big Apple and does so just a month shy of a year since winning his first World title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, dominating Jorge Garcia Perez to claim the vacant WBO belt.

Ennis (35-0 31 KOs) is looking to become a two-weight unified champion – and does so after just one fight, and one round, up at his new weight. The Philadelphia star unified the Welterweight division in April with a destructive beating of Eimantas Stanionis in Atlantic City to add the WBA strap to his IBF crown, and the 28 year old, who turns 29 the day before the bout with Zayas, signaled his intentions at 154lbs in his debut at the weight, destroying Uisma Lima inside a round on home turf, grabbing the interim WBA title in the process.

“Long before I became a World champion,” said Zayas. “I always sought to face the biggest challenges in my division I have never shied away from a fight and have always been willing to test my skills against anyone.

“Now, as the unified champion, I am ready to defend my world titles against one of the sport’s biggest names. I have always believed in myself, and on June 27, I will continue to show the world what is possible when you dare to be great!”

“Time to step and collect these belts!” said Ennis. “Knocking them down one by one! #AndTheNew.”

“Zayas vs. Boots is everything fans want in a summer blockbuster — two elite level champions, fighting for multiple world titles, staged in an iconic backdrop, New York,” said Alfie Sharman, VP of DAZN. “This matchup is a statement moment for global boxing, and we’re thrilled to deliver it live and exclusive on DAZN. June 27 will be a night where the best fight the best, and fans around the world won’t want to miss it.”

“What a fight!” said Ennis’ promoter and Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn. “I’m thrilled to be able to get this fight made for Jaron – this is exactly the kind of occasion that brings the very best out of a future pound-for-pound #1. Boots shone so brightly against Stanionis in Atlantic City in his first unification fight, and I expect him to light up Brooklyn on June 27.

“But Xander is a special fighter in his own right, and huge props go to him for wanting to fight the very best – Brooklyn has a special fight on it’s hands this summer, and I am counting down the days already.”

“We signed Xander at 16 and have seen him develop into the sport’s youngest current unified champion and a budding superstar,” said Zayas’ promoter and President of Top Rank, Todd duBoef. “Facing the best has always been Xander’s priority, and ‘Boots’ Ennis provides Xander with the next step to prove greatness in only his second title defense.

“The matchup pits boxing’s elite young talent who want to emerge as a pound-for-pound king and entertain the sports world. We’re proud to work alongside Matchroom and DAZN to bring this meaningful fight to a global audience from Barclays Center on June 27.”

“Barclays Center is a premier destination for the biggest nights in boxing and continues to serve as a global stage for the sport’s most exciting talent, a tradition we’re proud to continue with this incredible matchup,” said Laurie Jacoby, Chief Entertainment Officer, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “From championship bouts and global sporting events, Barclays Center has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable nights that resonate far beyond Brooklyn, reflecting our ongoing commitment to bringing world-class competition and must-see moments to our fans.” 

Information on the launch press conference, ticket on sale dates and the undercard will be released in due course.

  • Xander Zayas 153.5 lbs vs. Abass Baraou 153.5 lbs
(WBO/WBA Junior Middleweight World Title Unification — 12 Rounds)
Referee: Roberto Ramirez Jr.
Judges: Oliver Brien, Patrick Morley and Jose R. Torres

  •  Juanmita Lopez De Jesus 114.8 lbs vs. Conner Goade 113.9 lbs
(Junior Bantamweight — 6 Rounds)

• Carlos De Leon Castro 129.7 lbs vs. Diuhl Olguin 129.5 lbs
 (Junior Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

•  Yadriel Caban 115 lbs vs. Jeremis Hernandez-Torres 114.7 lbs
 (Junior Bantamweight — 4 Rounds)

• Euri Cedeno 159.7 lbs vs. Etoundi Michel William 159.9 lbs
 (Middleweight — 10 Rounds)

• Giovani Santillan 153.9 lbs vs. Courtney Pennington 153.5 lbs
 (Junior Middleweight — 10 Rounds)

To watch on mobile or desktop, visit trboxing.co/TopRankClassics. To watch on your smart TV, check the availability of FAST channel apps and look for Top Rank Classics on The Roku Channel, Tubi, or Vizio. 

The entire Zayas vs. Baraou card will re-air in the U.S. for free on the Top Rank Classics FAST channel, starting at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 1, airing all day until midnight. It will re-air once at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 2.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Jan. 30, 2026) — Welterweight contender Rohan Polanco fell ill late Thursday evening and was forced to withdraw from his bout against Christian Gomez.

The rest of the card tomorrow at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, headlined by the Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou junior middleweight title unification showdown, will proceed as scheduled.

The six-round junior bantamweight fight between Juanmita Lopez De Jesus and Conner Goade will take place immediately before the main event.

Zayas-Baraou and the full undercard will stream for free on the Top Rank Classics FAST channel in the U.S. with a new start time of 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Zayas vs. Baraou will begin at approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

To watch on mobile or desktop, visit trboxing.co/TopRankClassics. To watch on your smart TV, check the availability of FAST channel apps and search for Top Rank Classics on The Roku Channel, Tubi, or Vizio. 

The full Zayas vs. Baraou card will be broadcast in Puerto Rico on WAPA Deportes, the only local channel dedicated entirely to sports programming, starting at 7:30 p.m. AST.

Doors will now open at 6:30 p.m. AST for fans attending the event.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Jan. 29, 2026) — Puerto Rican WBO junior middleweight world champion Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) is set for his high-stakes homecoming. Zayas will battle WBA king Abass Barou (17-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday evening from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.

The full Zayas vs. Baraou card will be broadcast in Puerto Rico on WAPA Deportes, the only local channel dedicated entirely to sports programming, starting at 6:30 p.m. AST. The event will also be available via live stream at https://wapa.tv/envivo/deportes/, exclusively for residents of Puerto Rico.

The WAPA Deportes telecast will feature seven bouts, including the return of second-generation superstar Juamita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs). The son of former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez will face Conner Goade (8-4-2, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder at junior bantamweight.

“We have closely followed Xander Zayas’s career. His technical skill and power have propelled him to the peak of his career. Broadcasting this fight card, headlined by him, reflects WAPA Deportes’ commitment to offering top-tier sports programming and supporting the new generation of athletes who represent the present and future of boxing. Our goal is to bring the audience relevant, high-quality events that connect with the country’s passion for sports,” said Paco Vargas, General Manager of WAPA Deportes.

“Zayas vs. Baraou is a historic event for Puerto Rico, and we are thrilled to partner with WAPA Deportes,” said Top Rank COO Brad Jacobs. “Puerto Rican fight fans have followed Xander intently ever since he turned pro, and on Saturday, they’ll watch as he attempts to unify the WBO and WBA junior middleweight world titles.”

WAPA Deportes is available in Puerto Rico through major cable and satellite providers, including Liberty (channels 44 and 244 HD), DIRECTV (channel 657), Claro TV (channel 5), Dish (channel 27), Sling TV, and Aire Digital (4.2). Visit www.wapa.tv for more details.

In the United States, the diaspora and the Hispanic community can enjoy the Spanish-language broadcast on WAPA América beginning at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. WAPA América is available as part of the Latino package of major cable and satellite providers, including Spectrum, Comcast, DIRECTV, DishLATINO, YouTube TV, and Fubo, among others.

Jorge Hidalgo, President and CEO of WAPA Media, commented: “WAPA América continues to be the connection between Puerto Ricans living in the United States and their Island. The diaspora celebrates its own, and this broadcast is a key opportunity for them to experience the achievements of their athletes firsthand and stay connected to the pride and excitement of Puerto Rican boxing from the Island.”

“I’m very happy and grateful that my fight will be broadcast live for all the people of my Isla del Encanto on WAPA Deportes and for all my Boricuas in the diaspora on WAPA América,” Zayas said. “Knowing that my people will be watching me live on national television motivates me even more to put on a great show and give it everything I have to make history this Saturday at El Choli. This one is for you.”

La Línea Deportiva will offer special coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. AST, while Noticentro and the digital platform Wapa.TV will provide special coverage of the fights on the card before, during, and after the event.

Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas took part in the official public workout ahead of their clash this Saturday for the WBA super welterweight world title. The electric atmosphere that filled San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday offered a clear preview of what is expected to unfold on fight night, when both fighters step into the ring.

Members of the local press and a strong turnout of fans gathered to witness the session, which featured not only the main-event combatants but also the rest of the fighters scheduled to compete this weekend.

Baraou, who arrived on the island just days ago for the bout, was the first to take his turn in the ring alongside his team. The reigning WBA champion went through light movement drills and sharp punch combinations, looking relaxed and focused. Baraou said he feels highly motivated and fully prepared to deliver a strong performance as he puts his title on the line.

Zayas followed, stepping into the ring to a loud ovation from the crowd. The hometown fighter appeared to be in excellent physical condition and went through several ring exercises to showcase himself in front of his fans. He spoke about how meaningful it is for him to fight in his own country and addressed the possibility of unifying titles, a goal that would further solidify his standing in the division.

Both fighters will take part in the final press conference on Thursday and will then move on to Friday’s official weigh-in ceremony, the final step before Saturday’s showdown.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Jan. 29, 2026) — Puerto Rican star Xander Zayas has waited nearly six years for a homecoming. He returns as a world champion on the cusp of making history. 

WBO junior middleweight world champion Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) will square off against WBA king Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) this Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.

In just the second unification ever held on Puerto Rican soil, the 23-year-old has the chance to become the youngest active unified champion and the first Boricua to do it on home turf. Baraou, a seasoned road warrior, is unfazed by the task at hand.

In the 10-round welterweight co-feature, Dominican contender Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) takes on Mexican veteran Christian Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KOs).

Additionally, Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs), the 19-year-old son of former world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, will face Conner Goade (8-4-2, 7 KOs) in a six-round tilt at junior bantamweight.

The undercard will also include the junior middleweight debut of Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs), as well as the return of rising Dominican middleweight Euri Cedeño (13-0-1, 12 KOs), in separate 10-rounders. Santillan will lock horns with Courtney Pennington (17-11-3, 7 KOs), while Cedeño squares off against Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs).

Zayas-Baraou, Polanco-Gomez, the return of second-generation Puerto Rican star Juanmita Lopez De Jesus, and additional undercard action will stream for free on the Top Rank Classics FAST channel in the U.S. beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.

Zayas vs. Baraou will begin at approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

To watch on mobile or desktop, visit trboxing.co/TopRankClassics. To watch on your smart TV, check the availability of FAST channel apps and search for Top Rank Classics on The Roku Channel, Tubi, or Vizio. 

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, tickets are on sale via Ticketera.com.

This is what the fighters said at Thursday’s press conference.

Xander Zayas

“This is what I have been working for since I was 5 years old. {18} years as a fighter, seven as a pro. I got a world title in my last fight at 23. I’m ready to become a unified world champion and to keep making history. This is the biggest moment of my life. I deserve to be here. I worked hard to be here. This is where I belong.”

“I’m expecting the best version of Abass Baraou. I’m expecting something I haven’t seen before. We sparred almost two years ago. But he’s a champion now. And we both have grown and learned. We’ve also experienced different things. So, I’m expecting the best version of him because he’s going to get the best version of me. That’s for sure.”

“This is the only fight {this weekend} where you’ll have two world titles on the line. It’s the only fight where you’ll see two champions putting everything on the line to become a unified champion. Tune in because there will be fireworks, and I’m going to make history one more time.”

Abass Baraou

“I go everywhere to make my dreams come true. I’ve been doing the work for a long time. Being here is amazing. And I can’t wait for Saturday night.”

“Winning the title was amazing. It was one of my favorite moments so far. I worked so hard for this moment. It was hard to get there. As you can tell, my team was happy as well. And securing that win opened up bigger opportunities, like Saturday’s fight. So I really enjoyed that moment.”

“Everyone knows we sparred. But I don’t put too much focus on it. I spar to learn. When we sparred, it was always good work. But a fight is different. Gloves are different. No headgear. It’s just me and him in the ring with no helping hand. It’s going to be way different than any sparring. I’m focused on this fight, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m an experienced fighter. I have a great amateur background. And I’ve come to Puerto Rico to put it all on the line. We know that Zayas is fast and talented. So, as a boxing fan myself, I feel this is a great fight to watch. Tune in to see how I pull this off.”

Rohan Polanco

“I hope that the title opportunity comes this year. I have been fighting for some time, and I’ve been ranked for a while as well. I’ve been positioning myself among the best. So, I’m just waiting for the opportunity. I feel I am ready. I have lots of experience. I just need the opportunity.”

“I would love to fight {WBO champion} Devin Haney. I’m ranked in that organization. I think that would be the easiest fight to make. I’m ready. I’m going to beat everyone.”

Christian Gomez

“We’re going to come forward, but we’re also going to try different strategies that we worked on in camp.”

“I come from a family of boxers. Even my mother was a boxer. This sport is very important to us.”

“I think experience dictates how you perform in a fight. But also, when you see the abilities of your opponent, you also tailor your camp for that.”

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus

“This first year as a pro has been great. I’ve gotten a lot of experience. I know Conner is an experienced fighter. But I’m going to show that I’m on a different level.”

“Camp has been great. I had a cut in my last fight, so I had to wait three months to return. So, I was able to prepare more. I’m going to show that I’ve grown a lot.”

Conner Goade

“I’ve had a lot of fights that could have gone either way. But that’s alright. You’ll see what happens on Saturday night.”

“I’ve got a couple more rounds fought than him. But I also know he has more amateur fights. So, it’ll even out.”

Giovani Santillan

“This is my first time fighting at 154 pounds, and I’m excited to put on a show here in Puerto Rico. I want to show everyone that there is a new fighter in this weight class who is coming for the belts.”

“I feel good at this weight now. It shows in my training and preparation. We focused less on making the weight and more on the actual fight.”

“I have big goals for 2026. I want to fight for a world title in this new weight class.”

Euri Cedeño

“My power comes from my hard work. I always work with my mindset on destroying my opponent. That’s where it comes from.”

“Rohan {my Olympic teammate} and I never talked about fighting on the same card together. But I feel happy to be sharing this card with him. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We’ve always respected each other.”

“My opponent asked for this fight. So, I’m coming in here even more motivated because I want to show him that he took a huge risk in asking to fight me.”
 

Saturday, January 31

Top Rank Classics (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT)

Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou, 12 Rounds, Zayas’ WBO and Baraou’s WBA Jr. Middleweight World Titles 

Rohan Polanco vs. Christian Gomez, 10 Rounds, WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus vs. Conner Goade, 6 rounds, Jr. Bantamweight

Carlos De Leon Castro vs. Diuhl Olguin, 6 rounds, Jr. Lightweight

Giovani Santillan vs. Courtney Pennington, 10 rounds, Jr. Middleweight
 

The José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum will host a highly anticipated super welterweight unification bout this Saturday night, as Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas collide with championship gold on the line. The World Boxing Association (WBA) champion travels to the island to face the local star, the reigning WBO titleholder, in a matchup that has captured the imagination of fans across Puerto Rico.

Saturday night will mark the main event, but the excitement has already begun with the arrival of both fighters and will continue to build throughout a week packed with promotional activities.

On Wednesday, the fighters will take part in a public workout, with media and fans in attendance. Supporters will have the chance to get up close with both protagonists as they showcase their skills inside the ring.

Thursday will feature the official press conference, while Friday will bring the weigh-in ceremony—the final step before they square off on Saturday night.

Both fighters’ styles point toward a clash filled with exchanges and sustained action, which is why this unification bout has been so eagerly awaited. Baraou will look to keep his black-and-gold momentum intact, but the challenge will be anything but easy against a Zayas who is also a champion and eager to deliver a statement performance in front of his home crowd.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Jan. 21, 2026) — The junior middleweight title unification tilt between WBO king Xander Zayas and WBA ruler Abass Baraou — Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan — will be available to stream for free on the Top Rank Classics FAST channel in the U.S.

The broadcast will start at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT, with the welterweight co-feature between Dominican phenom Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) and Mexican veteran Christian Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KOs) set for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Zayas vs. Baraou will begin at approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

To watch on mobile or desktop, visit trboxing.co/TopRankClassics. To watch on your smart TV, check the availability of FAST channel apps and search for Top Rank Classics on The Roku Channel, Tubi, or Vizio. 

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs), a San Juan native, hopes to impress the partisan fans with a historic victory. If he bests Baraou, he’ll become the first Puerto Rican boxer to unify world titles on home soil. Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs), a German pressure fighter making the first defense of his world title, has won eight straight since a disputed split decision loss to Jack Culcay. His last five bouts have come on away soil, including last August’s unanimous decision over Cuban star Yoenis Tellez in Orlando, Florida. 

The Top Rank Classics stream is also scheduled to include the following bouts:

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Conner Goade (8-4-2, 7 KOs), 6 rounds, Junior Bantamweight

Carlos De Leon Castro (6-0, 5 KOs) vs. Diuhl Olguin (17-47-7, 10 KOs), 6 rounds, Junior Lightweight

Yadriel Caban (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Jeremis Hernandez-Torres (2-2, 0 KOs), 4 rounds, Flyweight

Euri Cedeno (13-0-1, 12 KOs) vs. Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs), 10 rounds, Middleweight

Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs) vs. Courtney Pennington (17-11-3, 7 KOs), 10 Rounds, Junior Middleweight

The matchup between Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas is beginning to heat up with just 10 days remaining before fight night. On January 31, both fighters will step into the ring at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to unify the WBA and WBO titles.

Germany’s Baraou will be making the first defense of his WBA crown, which he captured last August with a victory over Yoenis Téllez in Orlando, Florida. The 31-year-old entered that bout as the underdog but delivered a standout performance, claiming the black-and-gold belt against the odds.

Now he faces Zayas, the reigning WBO champion and a Puerto Rico native who enjoyed a strong amateur career, highlighted by a U.S. Youth National Championship in 2018. At just 23 years old, Zayas is already a world titleholder.

In his most recent outing, Zayas defeated Jorge García to secure the WBO world championship, and like Baraou, this unification bout marks his first title defense. He understands that a victory would elevate his career to another level and is eager to clear this demanding hurdle.

With only 10 days to go, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a memorable night. Baraou enters with a record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 9 knockouts, while Zayas remains unbeaten at 22-0, with 13 victories coming inside the distance.

MIAMI, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2026) —WBA junior middleweight world champion Abass Barou is once again embracing his road warrior status.

Baraou, who was born in Germany and is of Togolese descent, will attempt to unify titles against Puerto Rican sensation and WBO champ Xander Zayas on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Zayas’ hometown of San Juan. The 31-year-old believes his ability to adapt, not the partisan Zayas crowd, will dictate how the fight unfolds.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketera.com.

Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) entered the paid ranks in 2018 after a standout amateur career, spending much of the next seven years plying his trade, mostly in Europe. The groundwork paid off last August in Orlando, Florida, when he overwhelmed then-WBA interim champion Yoenis Tellez, scoring a final-round knockdown en route to a unanimous points verdict. The following month, Baraou was elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title.

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) signed with Top Rank at 16 and became a world champion less than two months shy of his 23rd birthday by decisioning Mexican puncher Jorge Garcia last July. He now headlines only the second-ever title unification fight on Puerto Rican soil.

Following a recent training session in Miami, this is what Baraou had to say:

“I haven’t shown what I’m capable of yet. I have a lot of experience from my amateur career. I know how to adapt. If I have to fight more technically, I can. I know how to box. However, most of the time, I break down fighters. I can do that best. But it also depends on the situation. I can also show more skills.”

“Coming forward is something I do well. Many fighters have issues with pressure. I haven’t seen a fighter who can stand a chance with mine yet. So, I know I can bring a lot of pressure in this fight. But we’ll see. That might be the key in this fight. We’ll see on fight night.”

“Becoming a champion has made me hungrier. It hasn’t changed my personal life. I’m still focused on boxing. But seeing all the opportunities and the fights that can be made is amazing. It’s made me more focused and hungrier.”

“Xander is very talented. He has a lot of skills. I’ve shared the ring with him many times. We’ve sparred a couple of times, so I know he has good footwork and lots of skills. But I’ve put the work in, and I’m ready to go to Puerto Rico and become a unified champion.”

“I will always be myself in the ring. Even if the fight were in Germany, I’d have the same mindset. I don’t care where the fight is. There’s a man I have to beat to accomplish my goals. The fight is in Puerto Rico, but it doesn’t add more pressure.”

DAVIE, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2026) —Xander Zayas is focused on making history.

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican star and WBO junior middleweight world champion will face Germany’s relentless WBA king Abass Baraou in a unification showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in his hometown of San Juan.

Zayas-Baraou marks just the second unification clash ever held on the island and gives Zayas the opportunity to become the youngest active unified champ and the first Boricua to do it on home turf.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via Ticketera.com.

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) claimed a pair of regional titles in 2022 with wins over Mexican veterans Elias Espadas and Alexis Salazar. He made six defenses in his path to securing the No. 1 spot in the WBO rankings. He realized his lifelong dream by outpointing Jorge Garcia last July to capture the title, becoming the youngest world champion at the time. Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) turned professional in 2018 after a decorated amateur career. He seized the WBA interim title with an upset of Cuban phenom Yoenis Tellez last August and was elevated to full champion the following month. Baraou closed the show against Tellez with a furious 12th-round assault that culminated in a dramatic knockdown.Following a recent training session at head trainer Javiel Centeno’s Sweatbox Boxing Gym, this is what Zayas had to say:

“This is the best opportunity of my career, not just because of what’s at stake, but because I’m coming back home in front of my people. It’s been five years, and I’ve wanted to return ever since, but I knew I had to wait for the right moment. Now it’s here on January 31, when I return as a world champion.”

“I want to be the first Puerto Rican to unify titles on the island. That’s really important to me because I want to keep making history and building my legacy. ”

“Everybody is used to seeing champions take softer touches for their first defense. But because I’m going back to my island, I needed to do something big and give something special to the fans. Baraou is also making his first defense, so we’ll see two young fighters who want to show that big unification fights are still possible.”

“Baraou is a good, aggressive fighter. People underestimate him because he’s not well known in the United States, but I’ve shared the ring with him several times in sparring. I know what he brings, and he knows what I bring, so it’s going to be a big test for both of us on January 31.”

“We’ve prepared for a warrior, someone who won’t stop coming forward. We know he’s going to throw a lot of punches. He’s not a better boxer, faster, smarter, or stronger, but he does have a lot of heart.”

“This is the best camp of my career. I’ve grown so much physically and mentally. I can see it in how I look when I spar, how I feel during training, and how hard I’m pushing myself. It’s time to make history!”

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Dec. 18, 2025) — Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco, the Dominican welterweight with championship aspirations in 2026, looks to kick off the new year with a statement-making performance.

Polanco will take on Mexican puncher Christian Gomez in a 10-round battle on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Polanco-Gomez will serve as the co-feature to the junior middleweight world title unification showdown between WBO champ Xander Zayas and WBA king Abass Baraou.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, tickets are on sale and can be purchased via Ticketera.com.

Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) represented his country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and signed with Top Rank the following year. Initially campaigning as a junior welterweight, he stopped the likes of Keith Hunter and Cesar Francis before moving to 147 pounds. Ranked in the top 10 by the WBO and IBF, he is closing in on a world title shot following a 2025 run that has included victories over Fabian Maidana and Quinton Randall. 

Polanco said, “I’m not coming to play on January 31. I’m coming to send a strong message to the division. Fighting as the co-main event at Coliseo de Puerto Rico is a great opportunity that I intend to take advantage of. I represent Dominican boxing. I’m hungry, fearless, and determined to get closer to a world title opportunity.”

Gomez (23-6-1, 21 KOs), a 12-year pro with 30 fights, has earned nearly all of his victories by knockout. His biggest test came in May 2022, when he went the distance with Uzbek phenom Shakhram Giyasov. The 32-year-old veteran is coming off consecutive decision losses to Nicklaus Flaz and Alberto Palmetta.

The undercard will also include the junior middleweight debut of Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs), as well as the return of rising Dominican middleweight Euri Cedeño (13-0-1, 12 KOs), in separate 10-rounders. 

Santillan, a former No. 1 welterweight contender, faces Courtney Pennington. The San Diego native bounced back from his May 2024 loss to Brian Norman Jr. by defeating Fredrick Lawson and Angel Beltran. The Brooklyn-born Pennington (17-11-3, 7 KOs) is a 13-year pro who has given stern tests to the likes of American Olympian Charles Conwell and Canadian contender Custio Clayton.

Cedeño steps up to take on Ivory Coast native Etoundi Michel William (16-2, 12 KOs). The 26-year-old signed with Top Rank in May and has won his last six via the fast route. William broke onto the scene with a victory over eventual world title challenger Jorge Garcia in January 2023, remaining undefeated until an October 2024 loss to Mexico’s Jose Miguel Borrego. He last fought in June, dropping a 10-round decision to top American contender Troy Isley.

Additional undercard fights will be announced in due course.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov. 14, 2025) — For the first time in more than 15 years, a title unification bout is set for Puerto Rico. And the island’s newest star hopes to put on a show for the ages.

Tickets for the junior middleweight title showdown between WBO champion Xander Zayas and WBA king Abass Baraou — Saturday, Jan. 31 at Coliseo de Puerto in San Juan — are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased via Ticketera.com.

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs), who hails from San Juan, is making only his second professional appearance on the island after signing with Top Rank as a 16-year-old in 2019. Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) is an experienced road warrior who has won eight straight since a split decision loss to Jack Culcay. Like Zayas, he’ll be making the maiden defense of his title.

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico opened in 2004. Top Rank promoted the first boxing event at the venue that September, when Miguel Cotto knocked out Kelson Pinto to win the vacant WBO junior welterweight world title. It will now host the second unification bout on Puerto Rican shores. The first was the 2010 Fight of the Year between Mexico’s Giovani Segura and Puerto Rican icon Ivan Calderon.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov. 12, 2025) —WBO junior middleweight world champion Xander Zayas asked for a world championship homecoming, and now he has an opportunity to make some two-belt history on the island.

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) will fight WBA king Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) in a title unification tilt on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. Zayas-Baraou will be just the second unification bout held on Puerto Rican soil. 

Zayas and Baraou, who have sparred dozens of rounds in South Florida, reunited at Wednesday’s kickoff press conference in San Juan as newly minted world champions. Baraou upset Yoenis Tellez in August to become the WBA interim champion and was elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title. Zayas captured the vacant WBO crown in July with a one-sided decision over Mexico’s Jorge Garcia.

Joining the champions at the presser was junior bantamweight prospect Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs), who will see action on the undercard in a six-rounder. His father, former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, fought at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico five times during his career.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, tickets go on sale Friday. Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. AST/9 a.m. ET via Ticketera.com.

This is what Zayas, Baraou, and Juanmita had to say.Xander Zayas

“It’s an honor to represent where I’m from, to represent my people, to represent Puerto Rico, and to put the pride of the island where it belongs, at the top. If you can dream it, you can do it. That’s my message to them. We come from the same place, and there’s nothing we can’t do if we put in the work and we put the dedication in.”

“January 31 will be the biggest night of my life, but {the win over Garcia} was really special. You only become a world champion for the first time once, and that was my moment.”

On previously sparring Baraou

“Sparring is sparring, and you cannot mix that up with a fight. It’s completely different. There are completely different things at stake for both of us, but I have respect for Abass and his team. They’ve always been great people to us and have always been willing to help us when we needed help. We were able to help them every time they needed a hand, so it’s a very exciting fight for both of us, a lot on the line for both of us. Our first title defense, to be for a unified championship, I feel like it’s very special. Like he said, we’re writing history.”

On the previous boxing legends from Puerto Rico

“Those legends wrote history for Puerto Rico. They are legends in the sport and on the island. And for me, to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and bring glory to my people means the world to me. That’s what I do it for. I do it for my people, my family, my team, and I’m really excited and happy to be here January 31.”

On winning his first world title belt

“After the fight, I slept with it for like a week. It’s everything that I dreamed of, everything that I worked for, everything that I dedicated my life to. We’re here to put on a show for Puerto Rico and on the island. There’s no better way of doing it than unifying and rewriting history one more time.”

Abass Baraou

On his title-winning effort over Tellez

“That was a special fight for me. I knew I was going into enemy territory. I’m a man on a mission. I just had to empty the tank and find a little bit more strength to put him down as well. I don’t know where that came from — don’t ask me — but I’m determined when I’m on a mission. I’m willing to do any job.”

On fighting Zayas in Puerto Rico

“I’m the man for the job. It’s not the first time I’m doing this. I’m on a mission, and I’m willing to go anywhere to accomplish my dream, my goals. Coming to Puerto Rico to face Xander was an easy decision for me to make. It’s a hard fight, a great challenge as well, and that’s what I’m looking for. We’re sitting here, both of us, writing history. How can you say no to that?”

On sparring Zayas

“Sparring is different than a fight. It might help, it might not. We will find out on fight night. Xander is a great talent. Respect to him for taking this fight. It’s a risky fight for both of us, of course. He and his people are great people. There’s nothing bad I can say about them. We exchanged words. We said we’d meet at the top, and we didn’t know it would come so fast.”

“I’m looking for great challenges. Going into my last fight, I didn’t look past it. I just wanted to beat the guy. Then, Xander came into the ring, and it came to my mind that it would be a great challenge. Then, I was told that I had to go to Puerto Rico, and that was an extra motivation. Also, writing history for Germany… everywhere I look, I get motivated. I come here, I see the arena, and it’s going to be full of Puerto Ricans. I’m fully prepared for that. I can’t wait for fight night. It’s like music to my ears.”

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus

“I always dreamed of fighting at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. So, it’s an opportunity to bring the people who enjoyed this type of fight, like Cotto and ‘Tito’ Trinidad. It’s going to be a great night for Puerto Rico.”

“We want to do the same thing {as Zayas} and be a young world champion, make everyone from Puerto Rico proud. That’s the goal.”

“My father is my favorite fighter, so I want to be like him in the future. Be a solid champion, and that’s the goal. Be like him and make my last name proud.” 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov. 10, 2025) — Puerto Rican star Xander Zayas, boxing’s youngest male world champion, will kick off 2026 with a historic home soil event. The 23-year-old WBO junior middleweight world champion will face WBA king Abass Baraou in a title unification fight on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This will be only the second title unification bout to take place on Puerto Rican soil, following the 2010 light flyweight battle between Ivan Calderon and Giovani Segura. 

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico first hosted boxing with Miguel Cotto’s knockout over Kelson Pinto in 2004 and has since hosted world title events featuring Puerto Rican icons such as Calderon, Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, and Roman Martinez.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, ticket on-sale information will be announced soon.

“From the moment Xander Zayas won his world title, it was clear that his first title defense had to take place in Puerto Rico,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “The fact that he’ll be facing a fellow champion in front of a packed arena in San Juan makes it that much more special. The Puerto Rican fans are passionate and loyal and deserve to see their champion return home. This is not a routine title defense. Abass Baraou is a determined champion, an experienced road warrior who will embrace the challenge of fighting on Xander’s home turf.”

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) rose from teenage prodigy to world champion before his 23rd birthday. He captured his first regional strap in August 2022 with a fifth-round stoppage of Mexican veteran Elias Espadas, then added another belt that December by outpointing Alexis Salazar. After multiple defenses, he climbed to the No. 1 spot in the WBO rankings and faced upset-minded Jorge Garcia in July at his home away from home in New York City. Zayas earned a one-sided decision just six weeks before turning 23 and less than six years after turning pro as a 17-year-old in Reno, Nevada.

“On January 31, we’ll fulfill another dream. This time, I’ll be fighting on my island,” Zayas said. “I’m going to unify two world titles in front of my people at Coliseo de Puerto Rico. We’re going to make history together. See you there!”

Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) spent his early childhood in his family’s native Togo before returning to Germany at age nine. A standout amateur, he won gold at the 2017 European Championships and bronze at that year’s World Championships, where he lost to two-time Olympic Gold medalist Roniel Iglesias. He turned pro in 2018 and has won eight since his lone defeat, a 2020 split decision loss to former world title challenger Jack Culcay.  His breakout moment came in August when he upset Cuba’s Yoenis Tellez to capture the WBA interim title, scoring a knockdown in the closing seconds of the 12th round. He was elevated to full champion the following month after Terence Crawford vacated the title. Barou has won five consecutive fights outside of Germany, including a 2024 decision over Sam Eggington in England to capture the European title.

“Xander is a great talent, and I give him full credit for stepping up and accepting this fight. Not everyone would take that risk, especially at this stage, but that’s what makes this matchup special. He has his country behind him, and I respect that, because I know what it means to carry that responsibility into the ring,” Baraou said. “I’m preparing to go into Puerto Rico, bring some real heat, and show the world that I’m a true force in this division. I’m not coming just to show up. I’m coming to make a statement, leave with another belt, and maybe even earn a few new Puerto Rican fans on the way out. When it’s all said and done, the world will know who the top dog at 154 really is.”

The undercard will feature Puerto Rican second-generation hopeful Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs), the 19-year-old son of the aforementioned “Juanma.” He will see action in a six-round junior bantamweight tilt against an opponent to be named.

Juanmita made his pro debut in February with a highlight-reel first-round knockout. He fought at home in April before returning on the undercard of Zayas’ world title triumph in July. Juanmita went the six-round distance for the first time in September, outpointing Luis Morales. His father notched five early-round knockouts at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, including a pair of world title defenses.

Juanmita said, “I am incredibly thankful to God for the chance to fight at home once again and to be able to showcase my talent in front of my people. On January 31, we will show the world that Puerto Rico has a great prospect coming straight from ‘The Island of Enchantment’ in ‘Juanmita’ López.”

NEW YORK– He turned pro at the age of 17. At 22, Puerto Rico’s chosen one became a champion.

Xander Zayas dominated Mexico’s Jorge Garcia by unanimous decision (116-112, 118-110, and 119-109) to win the WBO junior middleweight world title Saturday evening at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. 

Garcia (33-5, 26 KOs), fueled by his upset win over Charles Conwell in April, launched toward Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) with wildly thrown punches. Zayas evaded most shots, soon adjusting to a game plan of quick jabs to the body and occasional right hands.

Still, Garcia managed to drag Zayas into a fight, especially in the sixth as both went toe-to-toe with hooks in the center of the ring. But by the seventh and eighth, Zayas’ counterpunching began to wear down Garcia as he easily outboxed him in the championship rounds.

Zayas said, “Boxing 101. I had to box my way to victory. I knew that if I stood in front of him that I’d be fighting his fight. So, I did everything behind the jab. The jab was the key to victory, and we showed that today.

“This is a dream come true. This is beautiful. To see my Puerto Rican fans here, this is amazing. I could never dream of anything better than this.”

Carrington Decisions Heita To win Interim Featherweight Title

Bruce Carrington won the WBC Interim Featherweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mateus Heita.

Carrington was quick with counters and landed several hard combinations that seemed to slightly rock Heita on several occasions.

Carrington, 125 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 119-108 twice and 120-108 and is now 16-0. Heita, 124.8 lbs of Namibia is 14-1.

CARRINGTON

“I wanted to show that I can go the full 12 rounds. I showed that championship level through those 12 rounds. I feel good. I feel in shape. I feel sharp and ready for that next level.”

I’m ready. I’ve been calling out all the champions. They already know. I see {Rafael} Espinoza in the crowd. I want to fight him. I want to fight Nick Ball. I want to fight Stephen Fulton.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas Obliterates Espinoza in 1

Emiliano Fernando Vargas needed just one counter right hand to take out Alexander Espinoza in the opening round of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Vargas put a right hand on the chin of Espinoza and he folded down to the canvas. Espinoza tried to get up, but fell face first and the bout was over at 42 secpnds.

Vargas, 139.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-0 with 13 knockouts. Espinoza, 139.4 lbs of Ecuador is 20-4-1.

EMILIANO FERNANDO VARGAS

“I’m just a Mexican kid trying to make it to the top. 26 years ago, my father fought here, and history repeats itself. If I could be half as great as my father was, I’ll make it a long way.”

“Top 15 in the world, 15-0… I’m coming for all the belts!”

“Alexander Espinoza is the most experienced fighter I’ve ever fought. I was ready for 15 rounds tonight. It’s a blessing that I got to do it so quick. They don’t pay me for overtime, though. I had to get it done fast. Like I said, I’m ready for top, elite competition. My skills are going to show through.”

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Quinton Randall in a welterweight fight.

Polanco, 146.6 lbs of Samto Domingo, DR won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 and is now17-0. Randall, 146.8 lbs of Houston is 15-3-1.

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus stopped Jorge Gonzalez in round two of their four-round junior bantamweight bout.

In round one, De Jesus dropped Sanchez with a perfect counter left. De Jesus dropped Sanchez again after he landed about five consecutive left hands that was finished off by a two hand flurry. In round two, De Jesus dropped Sanchez with a perfect counter left and the fight was stopped at 1:14.

De Jesus, 113.8 lbs of Caguas, PR is 3-0 with two knockouts. Sanchez, 114.8 lbs of Las Mairis, PR is 5-3.

Yan Santana remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Aaron Almeida in a featherweight bout.

Santana, 124.8 lbs of La Romana, DR won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 15-0. Almeida, 125.4 lbs of Nogales, MEX is 30-3.

Steven Navarro pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision over Christopher Rios in a junior bantamweight bout.

The fight was a slugfest with both fighters landing combinations.

n round two, Navarro began to bleed around his left ear, but he landed more and was more accurate and won by scores of 77-75 on all cards and id now 7-0. Rios, 114.4 lbs of Compton, CA is 11-3.

Julius Ballo made a sucsessful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Brandon Ayala in a lightweight bout.

Ballo, 132.6 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 1-0. Ayala, 130.2 lbs of Harrisburg, NC is 2-1.

   • Xander Zayas 154 lbs vs. Jorge Garcia 153 lbs
(Vacant WBO Junior Middleweight World Title — 12 Rounds)

•  Bruce Carrington 125 lbs vs. Mateus Heita 124.8 lbs
 (Vacant WBC Interim Featherweight World Title  — 12 Rounds)

•   Emiliano Fernando Vargas 139.6 lbs vs. Alexander Espinoza 139.4 lbs
 (Vargas’ Jr. NABF Junior Welterweight Title — 8 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

•  Rohan Polanco 146.6 lbs vs. Quinton Randall 146.8 lbs
 (Polanco’s WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title — 10 Rounds)

•  Juanmita Lopez De Jesus 113.8 lbs vs. Jorge Gonzalez-Sanchez 114.8 lbs
 (Junior Bantamweight — 4 Rounds)
 
•  Yan Santana 124.8 lbs vs. Aaron Alameda 125.6 lbs
 (Vacant NABO Featherweight Title — 10 Rounds)

• Steven Navarro 115 lbs vs. Cristopher Rios 114.4 lbs
 (Navarro’s Jr. NABF Junior Bantamweight Title — 8 Rounds)

•  Julius Ballo 132.6 lbs vs. Brandan Ayala 130.2 lbs
 (Lightweight— 4 Rounds)

NEW YORK CITY (July 24, 2025) — Xander Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) returns to his home away from home for his first shot at a world title.

The Puerto Rican phenom meets Mexican slugger Jorge Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world championship this Saturday, July 26, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Zayas signed with Top Rank at 16. Now 22, with seven MSG appearances under his belt, he’s closing in on the dream he’s chased since first lacing up.

In the co-feature, Brooklyn native Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) takes on unbeaten Namibian Mateus Heita (14-0, 9 KOs) for the WBC interim featherweight world title.

In the eight-round televised opener, Emiliano Fernando Vargas(14-0, 12 KOs) returns against Ecuador’s AlexanderEspinoza (20-3-1, 9 KOs) in a junior welterweight battle.

Zayas-Garcia, Carrington-Heita, and Vargas-Espinoza will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and includes a trifecta of Caribbean standouts.

Dominican welterweight Rohan Polanco (16-0, 10 KOs) takes on veteran Quinton Randall (15-2-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while second-generation Puerto Rican star Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (2-0, 1 KO) makes his second appearance at The Theater against Jorge Gonzalez-Sanchez (5-2, 4 KOs) in a four-rounder at junior bantamweight.

Yan Santana (14-0, 12 KOs), a power-punching featherweight from the Dominican Republic, faces former world title challenger Aaron Alameda (30-2, 17 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters said:

Xander Zayas

“I feel like every camp is completely different and every camp you prepare differently, but throughout my whole career, Top Rank and my team have prepared me for this moment. We always said that when we would fight for a world title, we would do it when we were ready to fight for it and win it. And this is the moment. Fight number 22 at MSG. It’s my moment to become a world champion.”

“Just like he and his family said that 2025 would be their year, I talked with my family and we said that 2025 would be my year. So at the end, we have to go in that ring and do our jobs, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to come out victorious.”

“I had my team with me throughout my camp. My nutritionist team. My sparring partners. For the first time in my career, I did buy a camp house. So I’ve been enjoying the camp house for the last 10 weeks.”

“This Saturday, Puerto Rico will have a new world champion at 154 pounds.”

Jorge Garcia

“I’m happy to have been given this opportunity to fight for a world title. It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of ever since I started in this business. And now I’m only days away from making this a reality. I’m ready and I’m here.”

“We have adopted a success mindset. And I’ve been working hard with my team and my promoter. And it looks like we are seeing the results of our hard work because here we are at a big press conference talking about this world title opportunity. I think it’s a good sign.”

“My family and I all declared that 2025 would be our year, the year we’d fight for and win a world title. And now, it’s right around the corner. Of course, I still have to get through Xander, but we’re ready. We’ve trained hard for this moment.”

“I worked hard for this. I come from the bottom. And I’m happy to be chasing my dream and the most important fight of my life.”

Bruce Carrington

“This is the thing that I’ve been begging for for the last year and a half, which is to have the opportunity to fight on the championship level. Now we’re here. 12 rounds. And we’ve prepared over time. I’m ready to hop on a scale today and get in this ring and get into a fight right now. I’m just so locked in mentally, and I just can’t wait to perform in front of everybody.”

“I take every fight as a championship fight, but I’m definitely taking him very seriously. You know, he’s 14-0 with nine knockouts. I’m 15-0 with nine knockouts. He deserves to have this opportunity to get this fight. And, but I’m definitely going to show why I am special. And I’m definitely going to show why there are levels to this. And you’re going to see that it might not even go to full 12 rounds. It’s going to be a demolition. It’s going to be a surgical beatdown.”

Mateus Heita

“It’s actually a big dream, and it’s a big thing for me. Here in Africa, every fighter’s dream is to fight in the U.S. So fighting at Madison Square Garden is a dream come true for me.”

“I don’t see anything special in him. This is just another challenge that I have to overcome in my career.

“The preparation has been good. I’m ready for him, I’m ready to fight, and I’m ready to take what’s mine.”

“I’m carrying my whole nation on my shoulders. This is a very big opportunity. I’ll make my country proud and bring the victory home.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“I just want to continue to grow. At the end of the day, I know I’m young in my career, but at the same time, I know the big plans that we have. And I know God has greater plans. So, I’m just looking to keep my head down and keep on working.”

“My last fight ended quickly, as well as the fight before that. I’m looking to get right back to the gym after this fight, but we never look past anyone. I know he’s ready to go. I know he trained a long time for this, so I’m ready to go.”

“I’m ready to show out in front of all the other beautiful Latino fans in New York. Actually, there’s been a lot of love here. I’m very grateful for it, and I’m just, I’m ready to put on another performance because every fight has to be greater than the last fight.”

Alexander Espinoza

“This is a huge opportunity for me. As a kid, I dreamed of fighting in the big leagues. Top Rank is the big leagues. So, I’m fulfilling the dream of that kid who once desired to fight at Madison Square Garden. I’m ready.”

“He is a tough opponent. You can’t underestimate anyone. But I have prepared for him. I have had good sparring. And I prepared mentally and physically for this.”

Rohan Polanco

“It was a great experience to fight on the Naoya Inoue card in May. There were a lot of great talents on that card. I also feel good about the work that I did in that fight with Fabian Maidana. I learned that you can’t knock all of your opponents. So, I got experience from that, and I’m ready for more challenging fights.”

“I’m ready for a world title shot now. But I don’t think it’ll happen until I am the mandatory challenger because there are champions that don’t want to fight me because they know that I’m very dangerous.”

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus

“I think this is a great opportunity, another chance to show the people that I’m one of the prospects of Puerto Rico. It’s my third fight, and this is the greatest scenario. In {my last fight} in Puerto Rico, we were the main event. Now, we are on this type of card. It’s great.”

“In my last fight, I learned that I had to be more calm. I have to work with the pressure because the Puerto Rican people are intense. I learned a lot, and I’m going to show Saturday night that I learned from that fight and am one of the best prospects from  Puerto Rico.”

Yan Santana 

“This is a dream come true to be fighting at MSG. It also feels good working with my {co-promoter} Miguel Cotto Promotions. It’s something incredible. It’s something we dreamed of. I’m here to demonstrate what I’m capable of. I’m here to demonstrate this Saturday. We’re going to come out on top. I represent the Dominicans. I represent the Latinos, Puerto Ricans… all Latinos. We’re coming to show that we’re on top.”

Julius Ballo

“It was a tough training camp, so I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance Saturday night.”

Saturday, July 26

ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)

Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia, 12 Rounds, Vacant WBO Junior Middleweight World Title

Bruce Carrington vs. Mateus Heita 12 Rounds, Vacant WBC Interim Featherweight World Title

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Alexander Espinoza, 8 rounds, Vargas’ Jr. NABF Junior Welterweight Title

ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

Rohan Polanco vs. Quinton Randall, 10 rounds, Polanco’s WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title

Julius Ballo vs. Brandan Ayala, 4 rounds, Featherweight

Unbeaten Puerto Rican phenom Xander Zayas will take on upset-minded Mexican contender Jorge Garcia for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world championship.

Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) is an undefeated rising star who turned professional at age 17 and quickly climbed the ranks. He captured the NABO title in 2022 and has since successfully defended it seven times, including recent victories over Damian Sosa and former world champion Patrick Teixeira. Zayas began his 2025 campaign with a dominant ninth-round TKO over Germany’s Slawa Spomer.

Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs) enters Saturday’s title tilt on an eight-fight winning streak that commenced with a seventh-round knockout of previously undefeated Hector Andres Reyes in June 2023. Garcia has collected victories abroad, including knockouts in the Dominican Republic and South Africa. In April, he handed previously unbeaten U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell his first loss via split decision, earning a No.?2 WBO ranking.

In the co-feature, Brooklyn native Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and unbeaten Namibian Mateus Heita will collide for the WBC interim featherweight world title.

Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) has emerged as a dominant force in the featherweight division, earning the No. 1 ranking from both the WBC and WBO. In 2024, he delivered a standout year with four consecutive wins, including a highlight-reel knockout of Bernard Torres, a commanding decision over Dana Coolwell, and a statement-making knockout of Brayan De Gracia. Carrington last fought in March, thrilling fans with a third-round stoppage over Jose Enrique Vivas.

Heita (14-0, 9 KOs), a rising featherweight from Namibia, has built an impressive undefeated record since turning pro in 2018. He claimed the WBO Africa featherweight title with a fifth-round TKO of Tatenda Biningu and defended that strap in April with a 12-round unanimous decision over South Africa’s Abdulaziz Kunert.

In the eight-round televised opener, Mexican American prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas returns against Ecuador’s Alexander Espinoza in a junior welterweight showdown.

The action-packed undercard begins at 5:10 p.m. ET/ 2:10 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

Joe Tessitore, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna will call the action.

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Out Thursday, July 24: By the numbers: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia and Bruce Carrington vs. Mateus Heita

Using CompuBox and ESPN research data, we preview both title fights. Plus, Ian Parker adds best bets for the card.

Original Programming:

ESPN Original Series “The Fight Life” returns for Season 2, chronicling a year in the world of Top Rank through the journeys of six of boxing’s brightest stars: Keyshawn Davis, Mikaela Mayer, Jared Anderson, Jaime Munguia, Abdullah Mason & Emiliano Vargas.

Check out all of season one now on ESPN+, featuring Tyson Fury, Naoya Inoue, Seniesa Estrada, Teofimo Lopez and Josh Taylor.

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

• Top Rank: Real Time– All-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night. 
• Who Do U Fight 4?– Learn what drivesthe next generation of Top Rank stars. 
• State of Boxing– Post-show coverage of the biggest fights on ESPN and ESPN+. 
• Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights. 

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Zayas vs. Garcia (All Times ET)

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NEW YORK (June 12, 2025) — Fast-rising Dominican welterweight Rohan Polanco returns to action in a 10-rounder against crafty veteran Quinton Randall on Saturday, July 26, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Polanco will be joined on the undercard by his countryman, featherweight knockout artist Yan Santana, who will make his NYC debut in a 10-rounder versus Mexican former world title challenger Aaron Alameda.

Polanco-Randall and Santana-Alameda will be part of the ESPN+-streamed undercard before the ESPN-televised tripleheader (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) headlined by the vacant WBO junior middleweight world title fight between Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are ON SALE NOW via Ticketmaster.com. 

Polanco (16-0, 10 KOs) is currently ranked No. 7 by the WBO, a ranking he earned on the strength of May’s shutout decision over Fabian Maidana in Las Vegas. He represented his homeland at the Tokyo Olympics and is now poised to carry his nation’s flag in the paid ranks. Polanco trains with Hector Bermudez in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was 8-0 before signing with Top Rank in 2023. He went 3-0 in 2024 before kicking off his 2025 campaign in February with a second-round knockout of Puerto Rico’s Jean Carlos Torres. Randall (15-2-1, 3 KOs), from Houston, Texas, is 2-1 since a 2023 decision loss to Brian Norman Jr. on a Top Rank on ESPN bill.

Santana (14-0, 12 KOs), who is co-promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, spent much of his early career fighting in Cotto’s homeland of Puerto Rico. The 25-year-old appeared on his first Top Rank card last June, grinding down Brandon Valdes en route to a unanimous decision. He last fought in April in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, winning all 10 rounds against Mexico’s Edwin Palomares. Alameda (30-2, 17 KOs) dropped a unanimous decision to Luis Nery in 2020 for the WBC junior featherweight world title. He has won five straight, four by stoppage, since a 2021 decision loss to Angelo Leo.

In other ESPN+ streamed undercard action:

• Unbeaten heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov (15-0, 14 KOs), a two-time Olympic heavyweight for Uzbekistan, will make his first stateside appearance in nearly two years when he battles Italy’s Gianmarco Cardillo (12-1-2, 2 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder. Jalolov dominated the super heavyweight bracket at the 2024 Paris Olympics and came back to the pro ranks in April with a decision over Ihor Shevadzutskyi.
   
• Emerging junior bantamweight Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro (6-0, 5 KOs), from Inglewood, California, will fight in his second scheduled eight-rounder against Cristopher Rios (11-2, 7 KOs). Navarro has been on the fast track to contention since turning pro last April with a sixth-round stoppage over Jose Lopez.