Xander Zayas Puts Junior Middleweight Division On Notice
In a discussion about the top up-and-coming prospects, Xander Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs) is at or near the top of the list. 2021 has been a breakthrough for the junior middleweight. Fighting six times this year, he has stopped all of his opponents. On each occasion, the 19-year-old draws effusive praise from fans and pundits.
LOADS OF ATTRIBUTES
As good as he’s looked in the ring, his maturity outside the ropes is equally impressive. Talent, confidence, potential, and grace are adjectives commonly used to describe Zayas. Those attributes were evident during an interview on The Last Stand Podcast with host Brian Custer.
LAYING DOWN THE GAUNTLET
The youth confidently said he believes he deserves to be named Prospect of the Year. There are ambitions of eventually pitting himself against the elite in due time. When asked about his potential dream fights at154, Zayas stayed humble. However, he informed Custer that he plans on being a force in the future.
“Right now, it’s so difficult because it’s so many names out there. I mean, you have great names at 154. But, I know that when the time is right, and whoever the top guy is at the division at the time and I have the opportunity, I’m going to take advantage of it.
I’m going to take advantage of whoever it is. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to mention names, because I don’t know if Charlo is going to be the guy, or Brian Castano is going to be the guy or any guys that are in that top fifteen.
I don’t know who’s going to be the guy when I get there. But whoever it is, I just want to let them know that they got to be ready because I’m coming, and I’m coming to take everything.”
That combination of modesty and youthful exuberance is something you want to see from any athlete who aspires to be great. 2021 was when Xander Zayas let the boxing world know he is a name to keep their eyes on. It will be interesting to see his progression in 2022 and beyond.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
