THIS Saturday evening, in the Madison Square Garden Theater, it’s fair to say Xander Zayas will be facing a rather unexpected opponent for the vacant WBO super-welterweight crown. It’s not Sebastian Fundora, or even Charles Conwell, but rather Jorge Garcia Perez who has hustled his way into co-challenger status.
After beating Chordale Booker in March, then-champion Fundora signalled his intentions to defend either that belt or the WBC. Becoming an undisputed champion like his sister, Gabriela, was hot on the agenda.
In order to unify titles, one needs to keep hold of them. WBO mandatory challenger Xander Zayas licked his lips at the chance to topple the ‘Towering Inferno’.
Those lips would remain temporarily dry as Fundora proceeded to drop the belt and pursue a more lucrative rematch with Tim Tszyu, a man he had already beaten. Makes sense. Zayas, meanwhile, turned his attentions to other contenders likely to meet him for the belt.
Former Olympian Charles Conwell had endured a slow-burning career. Clearly talented, Conwell’s big opportunity came when he faced Jorge Garcia Perez on April 19.
Viewed by some as a final hurdle to a belated opportunity, Conwell took his eyes off the prize, was outworked over 12 rounds and stumbled underneath the immovable Perez barrier. Now, the 28-year-old Mexican, 33-4 (26 KOs), seeks to turn himself into an obstacle once more.
This time it’s Puerto Rican hope Zayas, 21-0 (13 KOs), at age 22, who must lock in and focus on the dangerous ‘Chino’ to become a 154-pound world champion in New York.
In his last outing, on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis’ title-winning effort over Denys Berinchyk, Zayas gave one of his most measured and mature performances to date, stopping 20-0 Slawa Spomer in round nine.
Looking compact and much bigger than Spomer, who had the legendary Roy Jones Jr in his corner, Zayas stood off, used the jab and left hook to full capacity. A little wild at times, he did a good job of luring Spomer inside, making him miss and making him pay, inflicting an early nosebleed in the process.
Zayas’ body shots were spiteful and only Spomer’s toughness kept him in it for as long as he managed. While Zayas does not yet possess the pound-for-pound prowess of his illustrious countryman Felix Trinidad, the left hook was a weapon worth writing about. The nation that craves another Trinidad, Miguel Cotto or Wilfredo Gomez, has thrown its support behind the San Juan stylist.
These are the things seasoned Perez is up against. But previous form suggests he will be there for a long time, if not especially a good time. Born and bred in Sinaloa, turning pro young as is the Mexican way, Perez has never been stopped in his four losses and holds a 79 per cent KO ratio. Enough to give Zayas something to think about when moving forward into range.
Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Perez Fight Prediction
Three of Perez’s four losses have come with extremely narrow margins on the cards. They have all been at a lower level than Zayas aspires to and currently operates at. Therefore, it’s difficult to look past the Florida resident who will bring a fervent crowd to New York, roaring him on.
That support will help him navigate through some tough moments. Against Conwell, Perez kept working, kept throwing and never stopped believing. He will be hard to deter.
I believe Zayas will prevail, but it will be over the distance after 12 hard rounds, although he will win enough close ones to make the judges’ scorecards look a little kinder than the strenuous reality of the workout.
If Zayas were to stop Perez, that would be a statement, as he lifts a first world title. This has a 12-rounder vibe as Zayas, face displaying the marks of battle, grins post-fight with a belt around his waist.
