Xander Zayas vs. Damian Sosa at super welterweight will go down later this evening (Sept. 27) at Madison Square Garden Theater, New York.
Zayas (19-0) is one of the most promising young talents in the 154-pound division. The NABF and WBO NABO title holder is currently in the third spot in the WBO's divisional rankings.
A win this Friday will help him solidify his standing in the division. The Puerto Rican was last seen in a unanimous decision win over Patrick Teixeira in June.
Sosa (25-2) is currently on a three-fight win streak and was last seen in a split-decision win against Marques Valle in April. However, setbacks in the recent past have prevented 'Samurai' from getting a rank in the division.
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A win against a highly touted contender like Zayas might just be his golden ticket into the divisional rankings.
Per bet365, Zayas is a -2000 favorite over Sosa (+1000) underdog for the match-up.
The main card of the event is now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the fight card.
Xander Zayas vs. Damian Sosa
Round 1
Sosa is trying to outwork his opponent on the outside. Zayas misses with two uppercuts on the inside. A nice body shot lands for Zayas.
Zayas is trying to press forward, stinging his opponent with straight punches to the midsection. Left hook, right-hand combo lands for Sosa. A very close round.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 2
Zayas connects with a short left hand to the head. Sosa is trying to outwork his opponent on the outside, but Zayas is seemingly taking over the fight even at range.
Zayas is showcasing great head movement and Sosa is mostly a stationary target for the youngtestr. A body shot by Zayas pushes back his opponent.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 3
Zayas starts the round flinging double jabs on his opponent. A nice right hand over the top by Sosa momentarily stuns Zayas.
As Sosa closes the distance, Zayas connects with a powerful body shot. The boxer is showing great vision as he finds an opportunity to land a liver shot on his opponent coming in.
A lean-forward right-hand lands for Zayas. He follows it up with another body shot. He continues his barrage connecting with a straight right hand to the head.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 4
Zayas seems to have the speed advantage. commentators point out that Sosa might need to bank on body shots to slow his opponent down.
Zayas is outsriking his opponent by a margin at this point. Sosa is now out at bay unsuccessful in effectively closing range with his opponent. Zayas surges forward with a quick one-two to the head.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 5
Zaya closes the distance, does some good work to the body, and hurries back to the range before his opponent can get a shot in.
Sosa connects with a short right hand to the head. The pair connect on each other with straight punches. Zayas quick feet are helping him quickly close distance, sink some shots in, and disengage all before his opponent can react.
An uppercut lands for Zaya. He lands a clean right hand to the head. A dominant round for Zayas.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 6
Zayas connects with a straight right hand to the head, and Sosa returns fire with the same punch. Double jabs, followed by a body shot land for the Puerto Rican.
Zayas is in complete control of the fight. The referee stops the fight momentarily after a low blow from Zayas. As the fight restarts Zayas bullies his opponent as he connects effortlessly to the body and head from close range.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 7
Sosa connects with a left hook as his opponent misses with a right hand. A quick one-two combo upstairs connects for Zayas.
Sosa gets backed up to the ropes by his opponent. A short uppercut on the inside lands for Zayas. A quick jab to the chest connects for him. He continues his onslaught with another one-two to his opponent's midsection.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 8
At this point, Sosa might need a finish to win the fight. He desperately needs to figure out a way to connect cleanly on his opponent.
Zayas comes out aggressive. He seems intent on getting the stoppage. Zayas connects with a powerful counter right hand. Another left hook lands for the Puerto Rican.
A left hook followed by a right hand to the head connects for Zayas. He is truly clinical tonight. An uppercut followed by a right-hand land for Zayas. Sosa returns fire with a flurry, eliciting a reaction from Zayas.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 9
A step back one-two stuns Sosa. A stab jab to the body by Zayas pushes back his opponent.
Body shots land for Zayas. Sosa seems to have no answer for his opponent's onslaught. He is getting countered almost every time he throws a punch at his opponent.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Round 10
Zayas is in full control of the fight. He is landing at will on his opponent at this point. Sosa will need a knockout to win the fight.
While Sosa has upped his work rate in this round, he is getting countered. Zayas connects with a combo, ending in an overhand left. Sosa is getting battered by his young opponent.
Sosa tries to sink in some body shots. Zayas digs in a returns fire, countering his opponent in the pocket.
Our score: 10-9 Zayas.
Stay tuned for the official decision.
Official Decision: Xander Zayas def. Damian Sosa via unanimous decision. (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)