WBO 154-pound champion Xander Zayas is focused on making history. The 23 year-old Puerto Rican will face Germany's relentless WBA king Abass Baraou in a unification showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31st, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in his hometown of San Juan. ayas-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. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via Ticketera.com. Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) realized his lifelong dream of becoming a champion by outpointing Jorge Garcia last July, 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 Cuba's Yoenis Tellez last August and was elevated to full champion the following month. Baraou closed the show against Tellez with a furious twelfth-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!”
