{{short description|Puerto Rican professional boxer (born 2002)}} {{Infobox boxer |name=Xander Zayas |image= |image_size= |caption= |nickname= |nationality= |realname=Xander Yarob Zayas Castro |birth_date={{Birth date and age|2002|09|05|mf=y}} |birth_place=San Juan, Puerto Rico |height=5 ft 10 in |weight=Light middleweight |reach=74 in |style=Orthodox |total=23 |wins=23 |KO=13 |losses= |draws= |no contests= }}
'''Xander Yarob Zayas Castro''' (born September 5, 2002) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is the unified World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) light middleweight champion since January 2026.
==Amateur career== Zayas' involvement with boxing began while living in the Cantera neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2007, when his mother took him to a gym so he could learn to defend himself from bullies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/boxing/news/xander-zayas-boxing-16-years-old-top-rank-miguel-cotto-bully/urccbtu44rjx1qxjcpst618zh|title=Who is 16-year-old boxing phenom Xander Zayas? | Sporting News|website=www.sportingnews.com}}</ref> After winning his first amateur fight at the age of six, his career took off, winning 20 consecutive bouts. Zayas dominated the youth circuit for years, gathering the Puerto Rican national title in his division on five occasions. It was after winning his third title at age ten that he decided this would be his profession.<ref name=Miami/> As a child, Zayas grew up admiring fellow Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto as he completed a Hall of Fame-career, with the former world champion's fights being the focus of family reunions.<ref name="ESPN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/27875299/how-top-rank-signed-xander-zayas-their-youngest-prospect-ever|title=How Top Rank signed Xander Zayas, their youngest prospect ever|date=October 22, 2019|website=ESPN}}</ref> He also "used to watch videos of Tito Trinidad, Hector Macho Camacho, Wilfredo Benitez, all those great fighters that made Puerto Rico really proud and happy".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fansided.com/2019/10/25/xander-zayas-high-school-pro-boxing-stardom/|title=Xander Zayas: From high school to pro boxing stardom|website=fansided.com}}</ref>
At the age of eleven, he moved to Sunrise, Florida along his mother, sister and stepfather. Zayas enrolled in Sweatbox Boxing & Fitness at Davie. After his first trainer died, Zayas began training under Javiel Centeno, promising he would become his first world champion and demonstrating skills beyond his age.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/top-rank-sign-youngest-ever-fighter-teenager-xander-zayas/|title=Top Rank sign youngest ever fighter in teenager Xander Zayas|date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> He credits the Nuyorican trainer with "perfecting [his] style with more technical stuff. It was very composed. He sat down and worked on every punch, every combination, every footwork, the head movement. We broke everything down and put it back together like a lego". When queried about the transition, Zayas said "[as] boxing styles, it was difficult at first because the style in Puerto Rico and the style here is very different, I had to adjust to the boxing in the United States. With time I did adjust".<ref name=Miami>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article236201308.html|title=As one of this boxer's dreams is dashed, he goes on to fulfill this other dream|website=miamiherald}}</ref> In his words, Zayas participated in USA Boxing competitions from this point onwards due to residence.<ref name="PH">{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/xanderzayastomeunabuenadecision-1331984/|title=Xander Zayas: Tomé una buena decisión|date=March 15, 2019|website=Primera Hora}}</ref> Despite this, he intended to fight in Puerto Rico as a professional as soon as he met the minimum age requirement of 18 years (he was ultimately allowed to fulfill this “dream” a year before meeting this requisite).<ref name="PH"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-make-puerto-rico-debut-on-february-28--146365|title= Xander Zayas To Make Puerto Rico Debut on February 28|publisher=BoxingScene.com|date=2020-01-31|access-date=2020-09-03}}</ref> Zayas went on to win gold medal at the 2017 and 2018 U.S. National Championships.<ref name="USA boxing">{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Features/2018/February/16/Quick-Chat-with-Xander-Zayas |title=Quick Chat With Xander Zayas |date=February 16, 2018 |website=TeamUSA.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310064240/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Features/2018/February/16/Quick-Chat-with-Xander-Zayas |archive-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref>
==Inactivity and adjustment== On December 17, 2018, Zayas met with advisor Peter Kahn along his immediate family, having decided to turn professional.<ref name=ESPN/> A new age requirement of 19 prevented him from pursuing a berth in the 2020 Summer Olympics and the insecurity of boxing's inclusion in 2024 (due to long standing issues regarding the governance of AIBA, which led to a suspension by the IOC) played a role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/17-yearold-boxing-prospect-has-what-it-takes-to-be-the-next-canelo-or-floyd-201646014.html|title = 17-year-old boxing prodigy has what it takes to be the next Canelo or Floyd}}</ref> Kahn had known of the boxer since he was thirteen, through Centeno, and had brought the topic to Bob Arum and Brad Jacobs the month before.<ref name=ESPN/><ref name=ESPÑ/> By January, several "high-powered promoters" had made offers, but it wasn't until February that Top Rank agreed to the terms that they were requesting, having completed a market study.<ref name=ESPN/> He became the youngest boxer to sign a contract with the promotional house in the 53 years that had passed since its foundation.<ref name="ESPN"/> Inquired about the signing, Arum first emphasized his maturity, intelligence and overall talent, but also expressed his belief that Zayas could be the "first [great] Hispanic heavyweight champion of the world" due to having open growth plates and fairly tall relatives.<ref name="HW?">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.mx/video/clip/_/id/5415080|title=Bob Arum: 'Xander Zayas puede ser el primer gran campeón hispano de peso completo'—ESPN Video|date=March 22, 2019|website=ESPN.mx|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127160906/https://www.espn.com.mx/video/clip/_/id/5415080|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite considering him a "quality young man" and having a feeling that mirrored his assessment of Oscar De La Hoya coming out of the 1992 Summer Olympics about the possibility of becoming "a big superstar", the promoter urged caution since he was a "work in progress" and the company had never handled someone that young.<ref name="HW?"/>
After making the decision to turn professional, he spent several months of inactivity and instead became involved in the training camps of other boxers, such as Ivan Baranchyk, Daniyar Yeluessinov, Ryan Martin, George Kambosos and Amir Imam.<ref name=Miami/> Meanwhile, the media used epithets that included "prodigy", "próxima gran cosa" (Spanish for "next big thing") and "niño dorado" ("golden boy") to describe Zayas and speculated he could become "The Next Great Puerto Rican Boxing Superstar."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telemundodeportes.com/titulares-y-mas/video/xander-zayas-el-nino-dorado-que-pone-el-nombre-de-puerto-rico-en-grande|title=Xander Zayas, el "niño" dorado que pone el nombre de Puerto Rico en grande|website=www.telemundodeportes.com}}</ref><ref name="Mazique">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2019/03/21/top-rank-may-have-just-signed-the-next-great-puerto-rican-boxing-superstar/|title=Top Rank May Have Just Signed The Next Great Puerto Rican Boxing Superstar|first=Brian|last=Mazique|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref name=ESPÑ/> Todd duBoef, who was convinced the boxer was not too young to perform after discussing the topic with David McWater, created a merchandising strategy around this perception and modeled it after the one used for Cotto, which included him using Héctor Lavoe's Aguanile (as sung by Marc Anthony) and carrying the flag of Puerto Rico.<ref name=ESPÑ>{{Cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/boxeo/nota/_/id/6224439/xander-zayas-impresiono-a-top-rank-que-lo-convirtio-en-su-prospecto-mas-joven|title=Cómo Top Rank firmó a Xander Zayas, el prospecto más joven en su historia|date=October 22, 2019|website=ESPNdeportes.com}}</ref> Zayas embraced the idea, noting that he felt "ready to be that next superstar and to be someone they look up to. I want to make my people in Puerto Rico feel proud to be Puerto Rican and proud to have me as a superstar for them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-youngest-ink-with-top-rank-talks-pro-debut--143602|title=Xander Zayas, Youngest To Ink With Top Rank, Talks Pro Debut|website=BoxingScene.com}}</ref>
==Professional career== Under the Top Rank banner, Zayas made his professional debut against previously undefeated (1–0) Genesis Wynn on October 26, 2019, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada, winning via first round knockout (KO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-wins-pro-debut-ko-one--143737|title=Xander Zayas, High School Senior, Wins Pro Debut—KO in One|website=BoxingScene.com}}</ref> He recorded two knockdowns prior to the stoppage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ringtv.com/581804-xander-zayas-age-17-scores-first-round-ko-in-pro-debut/|title=Xander Zayas, age 17, scores first round KO in pro debut|date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> A month later, Zayas made his second appearance on November 30 with a repeat performance of his debut, this time against Virgel Windfield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/xanderzayasvuelveaganarpornocautenelprimerasalto-1378927/|title=Xander Zayas vuelve a ganar por nocaut en el primer asalto|date=November 30, 2019|website=Primera Hora}}</ref> Like his previous match, he scored two knockdowns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/xanderzayasganasusegundapeleacomoprofesional-2532456/|title=Xander Zayas gana su segunda pelea como profesional|date=December 1, 2019|website=El Nuevo Dia}}</ref> Zayas’ first decision win was over Corey Champion, out boxing his opponent throughout four rounds to win via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://roundbyroundboxing.com/photos-xander-zayas-vs-corey-champion-fight-night/|title= Xander Zayas vs. Corey Champion Fight Night|publisher=Round by Round Boxing|date=2020-01-11|access-date=2020-09-03}}</ref>
On February 28, 2020, Zayas had his first fight as a professional in Puerto Rico, scoring a third-round technical knockout over Marklin Bailey.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/boxeo/notas/xander-zayas-debuta-con-exito-en-puerto-rico/|title= Xander Zayas debuta con éxito en Puerto Rico|author=Jorge Figueroa Loza|publisher=El Nuevo Día|language=es|date=2020-02-28|access-date=2020-09-03}}</ref> Following a lengthy hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to action by defeating Orlando Salgado in the first round on September 4, 2020. The following month, Zayas scored a first-round technical knockout over Anthony Curtiss. Zayas opened the 2021 season by earning a unanimous decision over James Martin in February, going on to score consecutive technical knockouts over DeMarcus Layton and Larry Fryers to close the first half.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-outboxes-james-martin-unanimous-decision-win--155615 | title=Xander Zayas Outboxes James Martin for Unanimous Decision Win }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-drops-stops-demarcus-layton-1st-round--157158 | title=Xander Zayas Drops, Stops Demarcus Layton in 1st Round }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com.au/boxing/story/_/id/31611052/shakur-stevenson-vs-jeremiah-nakathila-live-results-analysis | title=Shakur Stevenson wins interim title; Jose Pedraza and Xander Zayas shine in TKO victories | date=12 June 2021 }}</ref> He concluded 2021 with six fights, outscoring José Luis Sánchez in September before scoring consecutive technical knockouts over Dan Karpency and Alessio Mastronunzio.
Zayas opened 2022, a year where his stated goal is to enter the world ranks, by going the distance to eight rounds for the first time against Quincy Lavallais.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/xander-zayas-id-love-finish-2022-top-15-junior-middleweight|title=Xander Zayas I'd Love To Finish 2022 in Top 15 at Junior Middleweight|publisher=BoxingScene.com|date=2022-03-16|access-date=2022-07-06}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was scheduled to fight for a regional title in the co-main event of a Top Rank card on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, but withdrew due to a viral infection.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ringtv.com/639909-xander-zayas-withdraws-from-puerto-rican-day-card-at-msg-due-to-viral-infection/|title= XANDER ZAYAS WITHDRAWS FROM PUERTO RICAN DAY CARD AT MSG DUE TO VIRAL INFECTION|publisher=The Ring|date=2022-06-01|access-date=2022-07-06}}</ref> On August 13, 2022, Zayas defeated Elías Espadas by technical knockout in five rounds to win the NABO super welterweight championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/boxeo/notas/xander-zayas-noquea-en-su-regreso-al-ring-y-gana-el-titulo-nabo-de-las-154-libras-omb/|title=Xander Zayas noquea en su regreso al ring y gana el título NABO de las 154 libras OMB|publisher=El Nuevo Día|language=Spanish|date=2022-08-13|access-date=2022-08-13}}</ref>
Zayas was scheduled to face Patrick Teixeira at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Xander Zayas faces Patrick Teixeira on June 8 at MSG in New York |url=https://www.fightmag.com/xander-zayas-faces-patrick-teixeira-on-june-8-at-msg-in-new-york/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=17 April 2024}}</ref> Zayas won the fight by unanimous decision with the scores 100–90, 100–90, 99–91.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Xander Zayas earns decision against Patrick Teixeira in main event debut |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-xander-zayas-earns-decision-against-patrick-teixeira-in-main-event-debut/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=9 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stumberg |first1=Patrick |title=Xander Zayas cruises past Patrick Teixeira in first ESPN main event |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2024/6/9/24174528/xander-zayas-cruises-past-patrick-teixeira-first-main-event-boxing-news-2024 |work=Bad Left Hook |date=9 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
Zayas was scheduled to face Damian Sosa at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on September 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Xander Zayas: I want the best version of Damian Sosa |url=https://www.fightmag.com/xander-zayas-i-want-the-best-version-of-damian-sosa/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=9 September 2024}}</ref> He won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Video: Xander Zayas bests Damian Sosa by decision - I'm ready for elite names |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-xander-zayas-bests-damian-sosa-by-decision-im-ready-for-elite-names/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=28 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas Scores A Unanimous Decision Over Damain Sosa |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/xander_zayas_scores_a_unanimous_decision_over_damain_sosa/s1_17348_40965924 |work=Yardbarker |date=28 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
At the same venue on February 14, 2025, Zayas stopped Slawa Spomer in the ninth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/xander-zayas-stops-slawa-spomer-vito-mielnicki-and-connor-coyle-fight-to-draw--205291|title=Xander Zayas stops Slawa Spomer, Vito Mielnicki and Connor Coyle fight to draw|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=16 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/xander-zayas-stops-slawa-spomer-in-round-nine/|title=Xander Zayas stops Slawa Spomer in round nine|publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=16 February 2025}}</ref>
===WBO super welterweight champion=== ====Zayas vs. Garcia Perez==== Zayas faced Jorge Garcia Perez for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title in New York, on July 26, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas vs Jorge Garcia Perez Set Date For WBO Junior Middleweight Title |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/boxing/xander-zayas-vs-jorge-garcia-perez-set-date-for-wbo-junior-middleweight-title |work=KO On SI |date=29 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas faces Jorge Garcia Perez for vacant title in New York City in July |url=https://www.fightmag.com/xander-zayas-faces-jorge-garcia-perez-for-vacant-title-in-new-york-city-in-july/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=29 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas matched with Jorge Garcia for vacant WBO 154lbs title in New York on July 26 |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/xander-zayas-matched-with-jorge-garcia-for-vacant-wbo-154lbs-title-in-new-york-on-july-26 |work=www.boxingscene.com |language=en}}</ref> He defeated Garcia Perez by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout in favor of Zayas, 116–112, 118–110, and 119–109.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-27 |title=Zayas, 22, becomes youngest current world champ |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/45833020/xander-zayas-authors-dominant-win-jorge-garcia-perez |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cgqn2w1njw5o|title=Zayas, 22, becomes youngest active world champion|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=27 July 2025}}</ref>
===WBO and WBA super welterweight champion=== ====Zayas vs. Baraou==== In his first defense of the WBO super welterweight title, Zayas faced WBA super welterweight champion Abass Baraou in a championship unification bout at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 31, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas faces Abass Baraou for unified titles in January in Puerto Rico |url=https://www.fightmag.com/xander-zayas-faces-abass-baraou-for-unified-titles-in-january-in-puerto-rico/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=10 November 2025}}</ref> He won by split decision with two of the ringside judges both scoring the fight 116-112 in his favour while the third had it for his opponent by the same margin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13501772/xander-zayas-defeats-abass-baraou-to-become-youngest-active-unified-world-champion-in-puerto-rico|title=Xander Zayas defeats Abass Baraou to become youngest active unified world champion in Puerto Rico|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=1 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/47793837/xander-zayas-unifies-titles-close-decision-abass-baraou|title=Xander Zayas unifies titles in close decision over Abass Baraou|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=1 February 2026}}</ref>
====Zayas vs. Ennis==== Zayas is scheduled to defend his unified WBA and WBO super welterweight titles against Jaron Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on June 27, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Xander Zayas faces Boots Ennis in Brooklyn in June |url=https://www.fightmag.com/xander-zayas-faces-boots-ennis-in-brooklyn-in-june/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=30 March 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Zayas lives with his mother, stepfather and sister in Plantation, Florida.<ref name="ESPN signs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26264242/zayas-16-signs-contract-top-rank|title=Zayas, 16, signs contract with Top Rank|date=March 14, 2019|website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/boxeo/nota/_/id/6425754/xander-zayas-continua-con-paso-firme-en-el-profesionalismo|title=Xander Zayas continúa con paso firme en el profesionalismo|date=December 14, 2019|website=ESPNdeportes.com|language=es}}</ref> He did not know any English before moving there<ref name=Miami/> but it took him only four months to learn, his family translating in social settings.<ref name=Miami/> Zayas was only a high school junior when he joined Top Rank, thus he began home schooling to graduate from Plantation High while training for his debut.<ref name=Miami/> His mother had set this as a requisite to sign as a professional.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/boxeo/nota/debutaelboricuaxanderzayascomoprofesionalcon17anos-2525788/|title=Debuta el boricua Xander Zayas como profesional con 17 años|date=October 26, 2019|website=El Nuevo Dia|language=es}}</ref> The prospect of continuing studies in criminal law was stated in an interview.<ref name=ESPÑ/> Outside the ring, Zayas is a gaming enthusiast.<ref name="Mazique"/>
==Professional boxing record== {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=13 |ko-losses= |dec-wins=10 |dec-losses= }} {|class=wikitable style=text-align:center |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |23 |{{yes2}}Win |23–0 |align=left|Abass Baraou |{{abbr|SD|Split decision}} |12 |Jan 31, 2026 |align=left|{{small|José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO light-middleweight title;<br>Won WBA light-middleweight title}} |- |22 |{{yes2}}Win |22–0 |align=left|Jorge Garcia Perez |UD |12 |Jul 26, 2025 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBO light-middleweight title}} |- |21 |{{yes2}}Win |21–0 |align=left|Slawa Spomer |TKO |9 (10) {{small|2:01}} |Feb 14, 2025 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |20 |{{yes2}}Win |20–0 |align=left|Damian Sosa |UD |10 |Sep 28, 2024 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |19 |{{yes2}}Win |19–0 |align=left|Patrick Teixeira |UD |10 |Jun 8, 2024 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |18 |{{yes2}}Win |18–0 |align=left|Jorge Fortea |KO |5 (10), {{small|1:37}} |Dec 12, 2023 |align=left|{{small|Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |17 |{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|Roberto Valenzuela Jr. |TKO |5 (10), {{small|2:34}} |Sep 15, 2023 |align=left|{{small|American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |16 |{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|Ronald Cruz |UD |8 |Jun 10, 2023 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO and WBC–NABF light-middleweight titles}} |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|Alexis Salazar |UD |8 |Dec 10, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO–NABO light-middleweight title;<br>Won vacant WBC–NABF light-middleweight title}} |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|Elias Espadas |TKO |5 (8), {{small|0:23}} |Aug 13, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Resorts World Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBO–NABO light-middleweight title}} |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|Quincy Lavallais |UD |8 |Mar 19, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|Alessio Mastronunzio |TKO |1 (6), {{small|2:52}} |Dec 11, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|Dan Karpency |{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}} |4 (6), {{small|3:00}} |Oct 23, 2021 |align=left|{{small|State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|Jose Luis Sanchez |UD |6 |Sep 10, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Larry Fryers |TKO |3 (6) {{small|0:58}} |Jun 12, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|DeMarcus Layton |TKO |1 (6) {{small|0:56}} |Apr 24, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|James Martin |UD |6 |Feb 20, 2021 |align=left|{{small|MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Anthony Curtiss |TKO |1 (4), {{small|0:55}} |Oct 16, 2020 |align=left|{{small|Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|Orlando Salgado |TKO |1 (4) {{small|2:06}} |Sep 4, 2020 |align=left|{{small|Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|Marklin Bailey |TKO |3 (4), {{small|1:14}} |Feb 28, 2020 |align=left|{{small|Rubén Zayas Montañez Coliseum, Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico}} |align=left| |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|Corey Champion |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |4 |Jan 11, 2020 |align=left|{{small|Hard Rock Live, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Virgel Windfield |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |1 (4), {{small|1:48}} |Nov 30, 2019 |align=left|{{small|Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left| |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Genesis Wynn |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |1 (4), {{small|1:24}} |Oct 26, 2019 |align=left|{{small|Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left| |}
==See also== *List of male boxers *Boxing in Puerto Rico *List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions *List of world light-middleweight boxing champions
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Boxrec|id=872417}} *[https://box.live/boxers/xander-zayas/ Xander Zayas - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings] at [https://Box.Live Box.Live]
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}} |- {{s-vac|last=Carlos Adames}} {{s-ttl|title=NABO light-middleweight champion |years=August 13, 2022 – July 26, 2025<br>Won world title}} {{s-vac}} |- {{s-vac|last=Dante Jardón}} {{s-ttl|title=NABF light-middleweight champion |years=December 10, 2022 – July 26, 2025<br>Won world title}} {{s-vac|next=Justin Figueroa}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}} |- {{s-vac|last=Sebastian Fundora}} {{s-ttl|title=WBO light-middleweight champion |years=July 26, 2025 – present}} {{s-inc|rows=2}} {{s-bef|before=Abass Baraou}} {{s-ttl|title=WBA light-middleweight champion |years=January 31, 2026 – present}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zayas, Xander}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Puerto Rican male boxers Category:Boxers from San Juan, Puerto Rico Zayas, Xander Category:World light-middleweight boxing champions Category:World Boxing Organization champions Category:World Boxing Association champions Category:21st-century American sportsmen