Who is Xander Zayas? All about the undefeated Puerto Rican boxer

Undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas returns to action on Sept. 27 at Madison Square Garden in a 10-round junior middleweight bout against Mexico’s Damian Sosa.

Zayas will be featured in a co-main event on the card headlined by Sandy Ryan vs. Mikaela Mayer. The 22-year-old phenom, signed by Top Rank at just 16, has quickly established himself as one of boxing’s brightest young stars. The upcoming fight will also mark his sixth fight at MSG as Zayas looks to maintain his perfect record while continuing to build his legacy.

Ahead of the clash, here's everything you need to know about the Puerto Rican boxer:

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Everything you need to know about Puerto Rican boxing star Xander Zayas

Xander Zayas was born on Sept. 5, 2002, and started training at a very young age inspired by Puerto Rican boxing legends like Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad.

He excelled in the amateur circuit, winning over 130 bouts and securing multiple national titles. He won eleven national championship titles, including the prestigious 2018 U.S. Youth National Championships.

In 2013, Zayas moved to Sunrise, Florida, with his mother, sister, and stepfather. He joined Sweatbox Boxing & Fitness and started training under coach Javiel Centeno, who has played an important part in his growth.

Zayas turned professional at just 16 and became the youngest fighter to sign with Top Rank. He made his professional debut on Oct. 26, 2019, where he scored a first-round knockout victory over Genesis Wynn.

Currently, he resides in Plantation, Florida, with his mother, stepfather, and sister. Despite moving to the U.S. at a young age, he learned English in just four months. His mother played a crucial role in his education, ensuring he completed high school through homeschooling while pursuing his boxing career.

As for his interests outside the sport, Zayas is passionate about gaming and enjoys sharing his interests with fans on social media. He often emphasizes the importance of giving back to his community and making Puerto Rico proud.

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Xander Zayas previews upcoming fight against Damian Sosa

Xander Zayas will make his highly anticipated return to the ring against Damian Sosa on Sept. 27 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

The 22-year-old is coming off a unanimous decision win over Patrick Teixeira in June. Meanwhile, Sosa is coming off a split-decision win over Marques Valle and wields the strength of a four-fight win streak.

Previewing the fight after a training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Zayas said:

"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.” [H/t: Fight Mag]