Zayas World Title Shot: July 26 | Boxing News
- Xander Zayas, of Puerto Rico, will compete for his first world title against Jorge Garcia, of Mexico, for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title.
- Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, highlighted Zayas's potential since signing with them at 16.
- Zayas (21-0, 13 kos), turned professional a year after signing with Top Rank.
Xander Zayas will battle Jorge Garcia for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title on July 26 in New York. This highly anticipated fight, announced by Top Rank, pits undefeated rising star Zayas against the experienced Garcia, promising fireworks at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Bob Arum highlights Zayas’s significant potential, while Garcia enters the bout fresh off an upset win. This junior middleweight title opportunity will be broadcast on ESPN, offering both fighters a prominent stage.The card also includes Bruce Carrington and Emiliano Vargas. Further details are available now from News Directory 3. Who will claim the title and what key moments will define this matchup? Discover what’s next…
Xander Zayas gets World Title Shot Against Jorge Garcia
Updated May 29, 2025
Xander Zayas, of Puerto Rico, will compete for his first world title against Jorge Garcia, of Mexico, for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title. Top Rank made the announcement Thursday, confirming the July 26 bout in New York.
Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, highlighted Zayas’s potential since signing with them at 16. He anticipates a thrilling main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, noting Garcia’s recent impressive performances.The fight will be broadcast on ESPN, offering a stage for both fighters to showcase their skills in this junior middleweight title opportunity.
Zayas (21-0, 13 kos), turned professional a year after signing with Top Rank. Now 22, Zayas aims to seize his first world title. He acknowledges the challenge posed by Garcia, who is known for his upset potential in the junior middleweight division.
“This is a dream I’ve worked hard for my entire life. I’ve got a good opponent in Jorge Garcia, a Mexican hungry to become a world champion,” Zayas said. “But I’m ready to raise the Puerto Rican flag high in victory and become a world champion at 22 years old.”
Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs) is coming off an upset victory against the previously undefeated Charles Conwell in April. He is currently on an eight-fight winning streak as January 2023. This fight represents a significant opportunity for Garcia to further establish himself in the junior middleweight scene.
“A lot of people thought I wasn’t going to win my last fight, but I scored a stunning upset,” said Garcia. “even though I was the underdog, I shocked the world. This fight won’t be any different. Becoming a world champion is my dream, and I’m ready to make it come true on July 26 with a dominant win over Xander Zayas. Mexico will have a new champion this summer.”
The card also features undefeated featherweight bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) and junior welterweight Emiliano Vargas (14-0, 12 KOs) in separate bouts. Carrington will face Mateus heita (14-0, 9 KOs) for the WBC interim featherweight title as the co-main event. Vargas will face Alexander Espinoza (20-3-1, 9 KOs) in the televised opener.
What’s next
The Zayas-Garcia fight promises an action-packed night. Both fighters are hungry for the WBO junior middleweight title, setting the stage for a compelling contest. The undercard fights featuring Carrington and Vargas add further excitement to the event.