Xander Zayas put on another professional and workman-like performance on Saturday night at the Hulu Theater in New York.
Zayas scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over Patrick Teixeira to move one step closer to fighting for a world title fight. The 21-year-old Puerto Rican was in The Big Apple bonding with fans all week, and he will remain in town for Sunday’s Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Zayas delighted the fans with a victory over the former champion in a fight that was never in doubt. The judges scored the fight 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91, all in favor of Zayas. Body punching was again the primary factor in Zayas’ win.
That approach has become a staple of his game, and he went to the body often against Teixeira. Zayas enjoyed a massive speed advantage over Teixeira, who looked a step slower than we’ve seen him in the past.
Zayas walked forward, stalking the lanky and awkward opponent, and the former never seemed overly concerned with any of the punches Teixeira was firing back at him. In the 10th round, Zayas, who had turned up the heat looking for a stoppage, got a little sloppy and ate a couple of punches from the veteran.
While they got Zayas’ attention, he wasn’t hurt, and Teixeira’s momentary success didn’t deter the Puerto Rican from continuing to advance.
After the fight, Zayas called out multiple fighters at 154 pounds, such as Erickson Lubin, Josh Kelly, and Vito Mielnicki, for potential opponents in his next fight.
Zayas isn’t likely to be the one deciding on his next opponent, but it is great to hear that he is eager to face three potentially interesting fighters in his next fight.
If Zayas stays on the same schedule he could return for a fight in September, which could land around his 22nd birthday on September 5. Assuming everything goes as planned, Zayas could fight once more in 2024 in December.
If the right opportunity arises, the fight in December could be for a world title.
If not in December, Zayas almost certainly seems like a shoo-in for a title shot by June 2025. Stay tuned.
In the co-main event, Bruce Shoo-Shoo Carrington made easy work of Brayan De Gracia.
Carrington, an undefeated featherweight with his eyes on Naoya Inoue for a massive potential battle, scored the eight-round TKO with the Japanese superstar in the crowd. Carrington turned to Inoue and bowed moments after scoring the win, and it’s clear an angle is being built between the two lower-weight class stars.
In the end, the two young head and co-headliners took care of business as they served as the draw for a Top Rank ESPN card that followed UFC Louisville.
