Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou by split decision to become the youngest active unified champion and the first boxer from Puerto Rico to accomplish this feat.
Zayas unified the WBO/WBA junior middleweight world champion Saturday night in his hometown of San Juan by defeating Baraou by split decision, with the judges scoring the fight 116-112, 116-112 and 112-116.
“I feel amazing. I’m only 23 years old and I’m the youngest active unified champion. And I’m just getting started,” Zayas said.
“When I heard the decision, I was a little scared. But to be honest, I felt that I had succeeded. I won at least eight or nine rounds. Maybe he had three or four.
“I hurt my left hand in the ninth round. I was hitting a lot and he was hard-headed, so I hurt my hand. But I figured it out, like all champions. Like I told you before, champions find a way to win.”
Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou by split decision (Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
The 23-year-old often used his feet in the fight, striking and landing short combinations. The game plan allowed Baraou to overcommit as he pushed forward, and Zayas responded by landing quick counters and finding the center of the ring.
In the fifth, Baraou had some success with a series of right hands and appeared to gain momentum, but Zayas remained calm and continued to box.
In the ninth, Zayas landed his best shot of the evening, a perfect right hand that wobbled Baraou, who survived but failed to win enough rounds according to two of the judges.
Baraou said: “Congratulations to him. I am proud of his performance. He did an incredible job. He beat me fair and square. He deserves it. I will come back stronger.”
