Four world champions at super-welterweight will become three early next year when Xander Zayas faces Abass Barou.
On January 31, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, WBO champion Xander Zayas will look to stake his claim as the best 154lb fighter in the world when he chases his 23rd straight victory.
The 23-year-old is currently the youngest male world champion (Camila Zamorano holds that distinction among female champions) and can add the WBA world title to his collection if he defeats fellow champion Abass Baraou.
In July this year, two months shy of his 23rd birthday, Zayas captured the vacant WBO belt with a unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Jorge Garcia Perez at Madison Square Garden.
The level of competition rises in January, however, when Baraou travels to Zayas’s backyard. The German picked up the biggest win of his career in August, beating Yoenis Tellez in Orlando to claim the interim WBA title. When then-champion Terence Crawford stepped up to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight crown, the WBA stripped Crawford and elevated Baraou to full champion.
A jubilant Zayas said he can’t wait to fight at home.
“On January 31, we’ll fulfill another dream. This time, I’ll be fighting on my island. I’m going to unify two world titles in front of my people at Coliseo de Puerto Rico. We’re going to make history together.”
Baraou, meanwhile, praised his opponent for accepting the challenge.
“Xander is a great talent, and I give him full credit for accepting this fight. Not everyone would take that risk, especially at this stage, but that’s what makes this matchup special.
“I’m not coming just to show up. I’m coming to make a statement, leave with another belt, and maybe even earn a few new Puerto Rican fans on the way out. When it’s all said and done, the world will know who the top dog at 154 really is.”
