Xander Zayas’ Historic Eight Days

Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas experienced an incredible eight-day stretch that any boxer would envy. Following his victory against Abass Baraou in front of 12,000 hometown fans in San Juan on January 31, where he unified the WBA and WBO super welterweight titles, Zayas headed directly to San Francisco. There, he practiced with Bad Bunny for his Puerto Rico-themed performance during Super Bowl LX’s halftime show.

Super Bowl Experience

“The day of [the Super Bowl] was filled with high energy,” Zayas shared on Uncrowned’s “The Boys in the Back”. “Everyone, from the dancers to the models and Bad Bunny himself, was hyped. The atmosphere while waiting for the music was electric.”

Meeting Celebrities

Zayas reflected on the amazing people he met, including J Balvin, Ronald Acuña, and Lady Gaga. He was surprised by their recognition of him; J Balvin greeted him with, “Oh, you’re the fighter, right?” Even Ricky Martin acknowledged him personally, saying, “Man, you’re Xander Zayas, that’s amazing.” It was a surreal experience for the young fighter.

Marketing Partnership

In September, Zayas signed a marketing partnership with Bad Bunny’s Rimas Sports to enhance his stardom. This collaboration gave him the opportunity to be featured in a halftime show that attracted over 128.2 million viewers, significantly boosting his visibility.

Challenges in the Ring

Zayas, now the youngest unified male world champion at 23, is making impressive strides in the ring. His latest fight’s ticket sales are expected to surpass $1 million, reflecting robust support from local fans. However, the bout against Baraou struggled to gain wider attention, especially after Top Rank lost its ESPN broadcasting deal just before Zayas’ contract with Bad Bunny.

Aiming for More Titles

With two super welterweight titles already in hand, Zayas is eager to claim the other two. WBC champion Sebastian Fundora is scheduled for a match with Keith Thurman on March 28. Meanwhile, newly-crowned IBF champion Josh Kelly recently dethroned Bakhram Murtazaliev, aligning their potential fight schedules.

Looking Ahead

“Top Rank has already reached out to Matchroom regarding a fight with Josh Kelly, which is my goal,” Zayas stated. “I want to collect that third belt. Hopefully, we can finalize something for the summer.” He added that the match should take place in the United States to serve as neutral ground.