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:
Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
Sat, 02 May 2026Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 02 May 2026Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 02 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
Sat, 02 May 2026Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 02 May 2026Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
Sat, 02 May 20262nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 02 May 2026Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 02 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 01 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 01 May 2026Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 01 May 2026Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
Fri, 01 May 2026Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 01 May 2026Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 01 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
Fri, 01 May 2026