Xander Zayas outlasts Jorge Garcia to become boxing’s youngest active champion

Xander Zayas is a world champion for the first time at 22. Zayas exceeded Jorge Garcia for the WBO Junior Middleweight WBO championship on Saturday evening, making a unanimous decision for the vacant title.

The fight was never in dispute, with Zayas not only on Garcia, but also to land the cleaner’s cleansing of the first laps. Garcia, who entered the fight at 33-4, could not meet Zayas (21-0, 13 KB) on the field itself from the first rounds.

The fight never felt a lot of questions, but Zayas’ victory implemented a potential unification fight with the WBC champion imposing Sebastian Fundora, who won a dominant Tim Tim Tszyu victory on the previous Saturday, his second victory over Tszyu.

The other 154 pound champions are the WBA champion, Terence Crawford, who goes to Super Middleweight to challenge the undeniable champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Fundora and the champion of the IBF Bakhram Murtazaliev.

With the victory on Saturday, Zayas became the youngest active world champion at 22 and 330 days.

After 12 cycles of action, the official dashboards read 116-112, 118-110 and 119-109, all in favor of Zayas.

“Man, [I’ve dreamed of this] Since I was five years old, “said Zayas after his victory.” It’s amazing. It’s amazing to be here and represent Puerto Rico at the highest level. And simply put the pride of my island where it belongs. Where it belongs, at the top.

“… Boxing 101, I had to box my way to victory. I knew that if I was holding here, I was going to fight his fight. I knew that if I was there, I was going to fight his fight. This blow, this Jab was the key to victory, and we showed it today.”

Hope is that Zayas will be able to make a unification fight with Fundora, creating a great unification fight.

“Sebastian Fundora has just fought last week,” said Zayas. “I gave my heart and my soul in search of an adversary. I am ready in December.” Ger fights on the road.