Boxing is an establishment in Puerto Rico. As of today, though, the island lacks a superstar in the men’s field of fighters.
It does, however, have an emerging prospect in undefeated 22-year-old Xander Zayas (19-0 12, KO’s), with the potential to become Puerto Rico’s next great boxing icon (Amanda Serrano is, without a doubt, Puerto Rico’s reigning queen of boxing).
Looking to elevate his status in the sport, Zayas will take on a tough test this Friday night as he faces tough Mexican fighter Damian Sosa (25-2 12, KO’s), live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from Madison Square Garden’s Theater venue.
The fight will be contested in the super welterweight (154 pounds) division.
Zayas started in the sport just 5 years ago at 17 years old, and many were locked in on the development and ability of the young fighter.
He picked up stoppages in six of his first eight fights, leading some to believe that a new prodigy had been born.
Questions slowly arose about Zayas’s discipline and hunger as he moved up in weight classes from welterweight (147 pounds) to super welterweight, but he has still yet to lose and has stepped up in terms of the level of competition he’s faced.
In his last fight, Zayas took on former champion Patrick Teixeira, and dominated the fight for the most part. He couldn’t put Teixeira away, though, leading critics to again question his appetite and, now, his power.
One of the problems with being a highly touted prospect is the level of scrutiny and increased pressure faced after a fight doesn’t go according to plan.
In Sosa, Zayas takes on a tough Mexican fighter who has only lost once in his last 16 fights. In his last effort, Sosa was victorious by way of split decision over Marques Valle on April 24.
This fight will be the biggest of Sosa’s career. It will give him the opportunity to make a name for himself and he should bring plenty of confidence to the ring given the momentum he is riding.
Questions about both fighters will be answered tonight.
Will Zayas pull out the victory and place himself in a position to possibly challenge for a title shot? Will Sosa produce another upset and, perhaps put himself in line for bigger opportunities going forward?
I believe we see a tough test for Zayas, and will see him dig deep and pull out a close decision victory.
