The roar inside Madison Square Garden’s Theater was deafening as Xander Zayas raised his arms in triumph, the WBO junior middleweight championship belt gleaming under the bright lights. At 22 years, 324 days old, the Puerto Rican sensation had just achieved what many fighters spend their entire careers chasing – a world title. “It’s amazing. It’s amazing to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and to just put the pride of my island where it belongs — at the top,” said Zayas, who is the most recent fighter from Puerto Rico to win the junior middleweight world championship.
The July 26th coronation wasn’t just another fight card; it was the final Top Rank boxing event on ESPN, marking the end of an era while simultaneously launching a new one. Zayas dominated Mexican veteran Jorge Garcia Perez with a boxing masterclass that showcased maturity far beyond his years. The unanimous decision scorecards – 116-112, 118-110, and 119-109 – told the story of complete dominance from the opening bell.
Garcia Perez came forward aggressively from the start, seeking to replicate the upset victory over Charles Conwell that earned him this title shot. “Garcia came to brawl, swinging with reckless intent early, but Zayas picked his shots, used his jab, and gradually broke him down.” The Puerto Rican’s technical superiority became evident as he repeatedly landed clean counterpunches while avoiding Garcia’s wild power shots.
The defining moment arrived in the sixth round when Zayas connected with a crisp right hand that sent Garcia stumbling into the ropes. While the Mexican warrior survived the round, it was clear that Zayas had found his rhythm. “That jab is the key to everything, and we showed it today,” Zayas said after the fight. His brilliant footwork allowed him to control distance and tempo throughout the twelve-round affair.
The raw emotion of the moment was captured perfectly by boxing fans on social media, who witnessed history in real time:
🔥🔥🔥 These warriors are giving it their all! pic.twitter.com/BoGzCJbuO2 — Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 27, 2025
This victory represents the culmination of a remarkable journey that began in the Cantera neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Zayas first stepped into a gym at age five when his mother took him to learn self-defense against bullies. After winning his first amateur fight at the age of six, his career took off, winning 20 consecutive bouts. He dominated youth circuits for years, capturing Puerto Rican national titles on five occasions.
The transition to professional boxing was unprecedented in its scope and ambition. At 16, Zayas “became the youngest boxer to sign a contract with the promotional house in the 53 years that had passed since its foundation” when he inked a deal with Top Rank. Legendary promoter Bob Arum saw something special, comparing his potential impact to Oscar De La Hoya’s emergence from the 1992 Olympics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123XYZ789
Zayas made his professional debut just two months after his 17th birthday in October 2019, knocking out Genesis Wynn in the first round. The progression has been methodical yet rapid – eight fights at Madison Square Garden have prepared him for this moment. “In 2019, at the age of 16, he became the youngest fighter ever to sign a professional contract with Top Rank. Zayas turned pro two months after his 17th birthday in October 2019 and graduated from Florida’s Plantation High School seven months later.”
The victory places Zayas alongside Puerto Rican boxing royalty. “Zayas joins all-time greats Miguel Cotto and Wilfred Benitez on the list of boxers from Puerto Rico who brought home the junior middleweight world championship.” The comparison to Cotto is particularly poignant, as both fighters have made Madison Square Garden their home away from home, regularly fighting on Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend.
What sets Zayas apart isn’t just his youth but his comprehensive skill set. His punch output far exceeds division averages, landing body shots at a 30.9% clip compared to the 28.8% divisional norm. “Average of punches thrown per round by Zayas, well above the junior middleweight division average (55.5).” The statistics reflect a fighter who combines volume with precision, activity with intelligence.
The financial implications of championship status cannot be overstated. “Currently, multiple outlets peg Zayas’ net worth around $1.8 million—a figure that blends his boxing purses with the growing value of his endorsements.” Sponsorship deals with Bud Light, Hugo Boss, and Jersey Mike’s position him as a marketable face for boxing’s future, particularly in the lucrative Hispanic demographic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=def456GHI012
Looking ahead, the junior middleweight division offers compelling matchmaking possibilities. Sebastian Fundora, who vacated this same WBO title before defeating Tim Tszyu, looms as an obvious unification target. “I feel like Vergil Ortiz, one. Sebastian Fundora [two], ‘Boots’ Ennis [three],” he told Helwani when ranking his preferred next opponents. Each potential matchup presents unique challenges and opportunities for the young champion.
The broader implications extend beyond individual achievement. Puerto Rico has long sought its next boxing superstar following the era of Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad. “Canelo Alvarez has been the biggest star from Mexico for over a decade, while Puerto Rico has been looking for their next superstar in men’s boxing. It looks like he has arrived.” Zayas carries those expectations with remarkable composure for someone so young.
His immediate post-fight callouts demonstrated championship confidence. “He shouldn’t have lost in the first place, he shouldn’t have left it vacant in the first place. That’s all I have to say. He know where to contact us,” Zayas said regarding Fundora’s previous title vacation. The direct challenge signals a fighter ready to face all comers in boxing’s most competitive weight class.
The historic achievement also represents a changing of the guard in boxing’s landscape. “This is a dream come true – boxing 101. I had to box my way to victory. I knew if I stood in front of him, I’d be fighting his fight. The jab was the key to victory, and we showed that today.” His tactical maturity belies his chronological age, suggesting longevity at the championship level.
The victory’s timing proved symbolically perfect, occurring on the final Top Rank card televised by ESPN. As one broadcasting era ended, Zayas launched a championship reign that could define the next decade of junior middleweight boxing. “Man, [I’ve dreamed of this] since I’m five years old,” Zayas said after his win. Dreams realized at Madison Square Garden tend to echo through boxing history.
From the streets of San Juan to the pinnacle of professional boxing, Xander Zayas has navigated every challenge with precision and purpose. His unanimous decision victory over Jorge Garcia Perez represents more than championship hardware – it signals the arrival of Puerto Rico’s next boxing icon. At 22 years old, with an unblemished record and championship gold around his waist, the future has never looked brighter for this remarkable young athlete.
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