Xander Zayas: The Rising Star of Junior Middleweight
Xander Zayas, a 21-0 boxer with 13 knockouts, is rapidly making his mark in the junior middleweight division. Ranked by the WBO, Zayas is the mandatory challenger for the title currently held by Sebastian Fundora. The 23-year-old from Puerto Rico has been groomed by Top Rank, and his recent performance—a ninth-round TKO win over Slawa Spomer in Las Vegas—has solidified his position as a formidable contender. Spomer, a lesser-known German fighter, was no match for Zayas, who showcased both his boxing skills and punching power, making the fight look like a cakewalk.
The Path to the Title
Zayas is well aware of what lies ahead. He recently tweeted, "You already know what’s next. #And the new," expressing his confidence in becoming the WBO junior middleweight champion in his next fight. The path to the title, however, is not straightforward. Fundora, known for his impressive height and reach, has yet to confirm whether he will defend his belt against Zayas. Instead, Fundora has other high-profile bouts in mind, including potential matches against Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr. This leaves Zayas in a peculiar position—waiting for his shot while Fundora chooses his next opponent.
The Business of Boxing
In the world of boxing, the business side often plays a significant role in a fighter’s rise to fame. Bob Arum, the legendary promoter at Top Rank, sees Zayas as the next big star in his stable. Whether Zayas can become a true superstar, like Canelo Alvarez, or a pseudo-celebrity, remains to be seen. Arum’s confidence in Zayas is not unfounded; the young boxer has a substantial fanbase in Puerto Rico and New York, which can translate into lucrative opportunities. If Zayas secures the WBO title, he can leverage his popularity to make millions, even without facing top-tier opponents.
Easy Defenses and Financial Gains
Even if Zayas becomes the WBO champion through a title elevation, he can still make a fortune. Potential defenses against fighters like Josh Kelly, Ardreal Holmes, and Milan Prat would be relatively easy and financially rewarding. These bouts would allow Zayas to maintain his title while building his reputation and earning significant paydays. By the time he is forced to face a more formidable opponent, Zayas will have secured his financial future, regardless of the outcome.
Fundora’s Dilemma
Sebastian Fundora, the current WBO and WBC junior middleweight champion, has not made any public statements about defending his titles against Zayas. Fundora, who captured his belts from Tim Tszyu last year, is eyeing more lucrative matchups. An optional defense against Chordale Booker is on the horizon, and if Fundora wins, he is likely to pursue bigger names like Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr. This leaves Zayas in a position where he might have to wait or be elevated to champion if Fundora chooses to avoid him.
The Future of Xander Zayas
Xander Zayas is at a crucial juncture in his career. With a strong fanbase and the backing of Top Rank, he has the potential to become a significant figure in boxing. Whether he achieves this through a legitimate title defense or by being elevated to champion, Zayas is poised to make a significant impact. His next fight could be a defining moment, and the boxing world will be watching to see if he can live up to the hype and become the true star that Bob Arum believes he can be.
