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Xander Zayas Wins Split Decision to Unify WBO and WBA Junior Middleweight Titles

At 23, the Puerto Rican became boxing's youngest active unified champion in his first professional fight in Puerto Rico.

Overview

  • Two judges scored it 116-112 for Zayas, with a third 116-112 for Abass Baraou in a split decision.
  • The 12-round unification took place January 31 at San Juan's Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot.
  • Zayas said he injured his left jab hand in round nine but adjusted to see out the fight.
  • He entered as the WBO titleholder, added Baraou’s WBA belt, and improved to 23-0 with 13 knockouts.
  • The event was streamed free in the U.S. on Top Rank Classics’ FAST channel, with Pluto TV and Top Rank’s Facebook carrying it internationally.