Xander Zayas: “I Have 10 Rounds To Do Damage!"
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 May 2024
Zayas returns against Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 24, 2024) — The Xander Zayas era is about to begin.
The 21-year-old junior middleweight phenom will face Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira in the 10-round main event on Saturday, June 8, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas looks to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend by taking on his stiffest test to date.
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs).
Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) signed with Top Rank at 16 and debuted as a pro in October 2019. He won his first regional belt with a fifth-round TKO win against Elias Espadas in August 2022 before vanquishing Alexis Salazar following eight rounds that December. In 2023, he beat Ronald Cruz via eight-round decision during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in five in September. Zayas ended the year that December by tallying a fifth-round stoppage against Jorge Fortea. Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) returns to the United States following three consecutive knockout wins in his home country.
Following a recent training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this is what Zayas had to say:
“Patrick Teixeira is a former world champion. He has a lot of experience. He has fought great fighters, and he’s very hungry to return to the top of the sport. So, I have to go in there very prepared because I know he will also be prepared.”
“In this fight, I have to be intelligent. I have to follow the game plan. I have to block out all the emotions that will be a part of that night. Obviously, it’s an important night for Puerto Ricans. But we’re going to have to block that out. We’re going to have to be patient and work little by little. I have 10 rounds to do the damage that I want to do and to put on a great show.”
“I’m excited to get in there with him. I’m excited to explore the things that I’ve seen on video. I’m excited to explore the game plan we have for him. And I’m excited to showcase why my era will begin on June 8."
“It’s a dream come true to headline at Madison Square Garden. I’ve been asking for this for some time. I was waiting for my turn because we take things step by step, as I’ve done my whole career. But it’s something that, at 21 years of age, is impressive. I still can’t believe it. But at the same time, I try to take it as just another fight and remain focused.”
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026