Xander Zayas pummels Jose Sanchez to unanimous decision win
The high-profile Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas (10-0, 7 KO’s) plucked up his tenth win in his latest prizefight. Zayas secured the win over Jose “Guerro” Sanchez (11-2-1, 4 KO’s) by way of unanimous decision. The bout has served as another growing experience for the talented fighter who was the youngest boxer ever signed by Top Rank.
While there is no denying that the Puerto Rican is brimming with talent and ability, it should be some time before he is challenging for a world title. Although we should see a marked jump in the level of his competition in 2022. The loss for Sanchez will be particularly distasteful, who entered the bout coming off a draw to Adrian Granados. Prior to the Granados dustup, Sanchez was enjoying a nine-fight, four-year win streak. It’s uncertain what Sanchez will do next.
ONE-SIDED AFFAIR
Out the blocks, Xander Zayas displayed his separation in skill. The Puerto Rican fluidly popped his jab, casually slid around the ring like a hockey player and quickly began calibrating his thumping hooks. Toward the end of the period, Zayas split Sanchez’s guard with a beautiful left uppercut. Realizing he was tough as a mule hoof, the wise young fighter began heavily investing in a blistering body attack.
In the third period, Zayas managed to pen Guerro against the ropes and laid enough leather on him to warrant thinking about a stoppage. To his credit, Sanchez weathered the storm and even landed a couple of crisp right hooks on Zayas’ chin. Good shots or not, the New Mexican couldn’t avoid being dropped by a picture-perfect left hook in the same period.
Over the next three rounds, the action maintained the status quo. Zayas continued hammering Sanchez in the arms, stomach, chest and head, while his foe absorbed the abuse and occasionally returned competent fire. During the final ninety seconds of the legal butchering, the Puerto Rican began busting up Sanchez’s face. A crackling right hook gave the appearance that a late fight knockout might be at hand. Yet, as he had the entire fight, Sanchez weathered the storm and saw the final bell only to drop a unanimous decision loss.
By: Bakari Simpson
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