At just 22, Xander Zayas didn’t just win a belt — he made history. The Puerto Rican sensation delivered a masterclass against Mexico’s Jorge Garcia Perez, claiming the vacant WBO light-middleweight title at Madison Square Garden on July 26, and becoming the youngest active world champion in boxing today.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zayas picked up gloves at the age of six and turned pro by 16 — signing with Top Rank as their youngest fighter in 2019. Since then, he has remained undefeated in 22 bouts, boasting 13 knockouts and a relentless hunger for greatness.
📹 Watch the viral clip of Zayas dominating Garcia via Boxing Guru on Twitter (X)
Xander Zayas beats Jorge Garcia Perez by UD (118-110, 119-109, 116-112) in a thrilling fight to become the youngest world champion in boxing right now at age of 22. #Boxing #ZayasGarcia pic.twitter.com/85NyWKoTIK
— BoxingGuru (@B0xingGuru) July 27, 2025
[Trending] Puerto Rican Winning Moves and Key Fight Highlights Against Jorge Garcia
Xander Zayas once again proved he is not giving his title to any boxer out there.
At Madison Square Garden in New York City, Zayas claimed the vacant WBO light-middleweight title with a commanding performance against Mexico’s Jorge Garcia Perez on 26th of July.
The judges scored the bout clearly in Zayas’s favor: 116-112, 118-110, and 119-109, showcasing his superior skill and strategy throughout the match.
Here’s a highlight of the bout from start to finish.
- Round 1-2: Since the bell rang, the young boxer effectively used his jab, keeping Garcia at range. Though the Mexican boxer tried to disrupt, Zayas easily defended against the aggression.
- Round 3: Garcia delivered a solid left hook that briefly shook Zayas; however, Zayas responded with counters and combinations to regain momentum.
- Round 4-5: Zayas had good control over the bout with his sharp jabs and counterpunch.
- Round 6: Near the end of the round, Zayas delivered a shot with a powerful right hand that pushed Garcia back into the ropes, yet Garcia quickly regained his composure and continued the fight.
- Round 7-8: Zayas delivered continuous left hooks that knocked sweat and Vaseline off Garcia’s head in the seventh, then dominated the eighth with his jab and precise punches despite Garcia’s combos.
- Round 9: Zayas took full control, dodging Garcia’s attacks and landing clean punches with smooth movement.
- Round 10-11: Zayas used his better fitness and movement to outwork a tired Garcia, landing strong combos and body shots as Garcia’s power punches missed.
- Round 12: Garcia’s corner urged a last effort, but Zayas kept his distance, landed three clean shots, and finished the fight strong to the crowd’s cheers.
[Tribute] Xander Zayas Dedicates Victory to His Mother
Fueled by love and sacrifice, Xander Zayas credits his mother for turning his world title dream into reality.
In a post-fight conference, the young talent said, “My mom is my hero.”
He further added, “She made it happen. All this is because of her. She never quit on me. She always told me I was going to be a world champion and she made everything happen, everything possible. We moved out of Puerto Rico to chase that dream and it’s finally here at 22.”
Pankaj Kapoor’s Take
Without a doubt, Zayas is emerging as a major force in the boxing scene. At just 22, he has a huge influence, winning and defending titles in nine consecutive bouts since 2022. Continuing this streak, Zayas is sure to claim the No. 1 spot in the boxing world.
