Xander Zayas: "New York City Feels Like Home!"
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Sep 2024
Zayas returns against Mexican contender Damian Sosa on Friday, Sept. 27 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2024) — Puerto Rican junior middleweight sensation Xander Zayas is ready for his sixth New York City appearance.
Zayas will take on Mexico's Damian Sosa in a 10-rounder on Friday, Sept. 27, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas-Sosa will be the co-feature to the WBO welterweight title clash between reigning champ Sandy Ryan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) and former unified junior lightweight queen Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 KOs).
Brooklyn-born featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (12-0, 8 KOs) will open the ESPN-televised tripleheader in a 10-rounder versus Sulaiman Segawa (17-4-1, 6 KOs).
Ryan-Mayer, Zayas-Sosa, and Carrington-Segawa will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
Zayas (19-0, 12 KOs) signed with Top Rank at 16 in 2019 and has since become a major New York City attraction. He has captured two regional straps and has accumulated a perfect 5-0 record when fighting at Madison Square Garden venues. In June, he made his main event debut at The Theater, defeating former world champion Patrick Teixeira over 10 dominant rounds. Sosa (25-2, 12 KOs) from Tijuana, Mexico, returns after vanquishing unbeaten prospect Marques Valle via split decision in April.
Following a recent training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this is what Zayas had to say:
“Damian Sosa is a Mexican warrior who brings that work ethic, hunger, and drive to snatch this win from me. He’s coming off a solid victory in his last fight against another Puerto Rican. I know he'll come well-prepared, and that’s exactly what we want. We want the best version of Damian Sosa that night, and I think we’ll get it.”
“We are adjusting for a fighter who applies a lot of pressure and throws lots of punches. It’s all about being smart, sticking to the game plan, and listening to my corner."
“Right now, we’re focusing more on conditioning, being at 100 percent at all times, and not losing focus at any point during the fight. We're also working on being ready to fight on the inside when I need to and boxing on the outside when it’s time to box.”
“It’s exciting to be heading back to New York. Every time, I can feel more of the love and support from the people who want to see me in the city that never sleeps. It’s something special.”
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Martin dares Inoue, Casimero
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri.
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Jul 2026Quiñonero to fight again on August 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 07 Jul 2026MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia
Mon, 06 Jul 2026Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jul 2026War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Nabunturan wins 3-on-3 MMA
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Clarion, Yanon suffer KO losses in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell To Defend Lightweight Crown
Sun, 05 Jul 2026CARLO BIADO IS THE 2026 INDONESIA INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPION
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 05 Jul 2026Fight options for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 05 Jul 2026