Xander Xayas was bent out of form when his makes an attempt at hijacking WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora to get a face-off with him moments after his win over Chordale Booker (23-2, 11 KOs) have been declined on Saturday night time on the Michelob Extremely Area in Las Vegas.
(Credit score: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Classless Transfer
That was a wrong-headed play on Xander’s half to attempt to provoke a face-off earlier than Fundora and his staff had even signed a contract for a struggle in opposition to him. It’s presumptuous to tug a transfer like that.
Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) is the WBO 154-lb obligatory for Fundora’s belt with that group. The WBO’s president stated this week that the winner of the Fundora-Booker struggle would have 120 days to defend in opposition to Zayas.
Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, says he’ll meet with the staff to debate choices for his or her subsequent struggle. Zayas, 22, says Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) has no alternative however to struggle him subsequent. If he doesn’t, he has to vacate, or he’ll be stripped.
Both method, Zayas will struggle for the WBO belt. If it’s vacated, he’ll struggle the highest-ranked contender, which might be #2 Charles Conwell. That might be an enormous step up in school for Xander, who has been combating middle-of-the-road opposition his total six-year profession.
High Rank won’t be pleased seeing Zayas thrown into the ring with a killer like Conwell as a result of he’s so a lot better than any of the fighters the Puerto Rican fighter has fought. They may select to veto the concept of Zayas combating for the WBO belt if he has to undergo Conwell to win it. That’s a nasty match-up for a prospect like Zayas.
Zayas’ Finest wins
– Slawa Spomer– Patrick Teixeira– Damian Sosa– Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
The one recognizable identify that Xander has fought is Teixeira, a 34-year-old who had a 3-3 document going into his struggle with him. Zayas didn’t even look good in that struggle.
Zayas’ Claims
“There’s loads of issues I can reap the benefits of,” stated Xander Zayas to Struggle Hub TV when requested how he can beat WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora if he will get the struggle in opposition to him subsequent. “There’s two guys we’re going to herald for camp which might be just like his fashion, his top, and boxing fashion. So, I do know I’m going to be ready for that night time.
“I really feel like I’m subsequent. If I’m not subsequent, he [Fundora] has to vacate that title. If he desires to try this, it’s as much as him, however I’m the following man. I’m going to struggle for the title anyway, however hopefully, I can get my arms on the champion.”
Relying on what Fundora does, Xander may very well be subsequent. If he’s not, he must get some expertise in opposition to a world-class-level opponent to arrange himself to struggle for a title. If the novice Zayas doesn’t wish to struggle Conwell, he can face Erickson Lubin. He’d be a great choice to get some expertise.
Mexican vs. Puerto Rican?
“It could take advantage of sense, however it will be a fast turnaround for him. I don’t know if he’s going to be prepared to try this [fight on the Puerto Rican Day parade weekend on June 8th in New York City]. Undoubtedly the summer time. That’s what I’m aiming for. That’s what I’m envisioning to get that struggle going.
“I’m very assured that the struggle will occur. I really feel like each groups need this struggle to occur. It’s going to be Mexico vs. Puerto Rico [note: Fundora is only half Mexican and he was born in the U.S. The fans are going to love it. So, I feel it’s a fight that must happen. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll be fighting for the vacant title. Whoever that guy is, it doesn’t matter. [#2 WBO is Charles Conwell, a very dangerous fighter]. My thoughts proper now’s on Fundora.”
Boxing Information 24 » A Query of Class? Zayas’s Aggressive Face-Off Bid, Fundora’s Response
Final Up to date on 03/23/2025
