Xander Zayas is set to face his toughest challenge yet against Jorge Garcia Perez for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title this Saturday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. This fight, airing on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 pm, marks Zayas’ first shot at a world title. Zayas, who boasts an undefeated record of 21-0 with 13 knockouts, has won three out of his last five bouts at this venue, including a ninth-round TKO over Slawa Spomer in February. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and now based in Florida, Zayas has been on a rapid rise since debuting in 2019.
Garcia Perez, hailing from Sinaloa, Mexico, holds a record of 33-4 with 26 knockouts and is currently on an eight-fight winning streak following a loss in January 2023. In the co-main event, Bruce “Shushu” Carrington will contest for the WBC interim featherweight title in a 12-round bout against Mateus Haita. Carrington, undefeated at 15-0 with nine knockouts, is from Brownsville, Brooklyn, and has been compared to champions like Mike Tyson due to his power, speed, and defense. Ranked sixth in ESPN’s featherweight category, Carrington is seen as one of boxing’s rising stars.
Haita, 14-0 with nine knockouts, is a Namibian fighter making his U.S. debut. Known for his orthodox style, strong right hand, and excellent footwork, Haita has finished eight of his last ten fights within the first five rounds. The article provides a detailed statistical comparison between the fighters, highlighting aspects like punch volume, power, accuracy, and fight history. Zayas, for instance, throws an average of 67.8 punches per round, significantly above the junior middleweight average, while Garcia Perez has a high knockout ratio of 78.79%.
Carrington has demonstrated strong power-punch accuracy, landing 43.9% of power punches against recent opponents, though he has yet to fight a full 12-round bout. Haita, ranked 11th by the WBC, faces a daunting challenge against the more experienced Carrington, who is heavily favored in the betting odds.
Fan Take: These matchups bring a thrilling blend of youth, power, and skill to the ring, signaling a fresh wave of talent in boxing. For fans, the bouts represent pivotal moments that could reshape the junior middleweight and featherweight divisions, promising exciting rivalries and a new era in the sport.
