Overview
- Judges returned a split decision with all three scorecards at 116–112, two for Xander Zayas and one for Abass Baraou.
- From the second round on, Zayas controlled range behind his reach as Baraou struggled to get inside despite stronger spells in the fifth and seventh and a furious finish.
- The event was Puerto Rico’s first title unification there since 2010, drawing a sold-out crowd firmly behind the local favorite.
- The victory leaves Zayas holding both the WBA and WBO belts at half‑middleweight.
- Baraou gives up the WBA title after one defense and suffers his second professional defeat, acknowledging Zayas as the better boxer and vowing to return.