Xander Zayas Makes His Case to be Prospect of the Year
As 2021 races to a close, the inevitable talks about year-end rewards have sprung up. Among the potential fighters to be named, super welterweight boxer Xander Zayas (12-0, 9 KO’s) feels that he is the leading candidate for Prospect of the Year. In all honesty, it’s rather difficult to say that he doesn’t have a point.
The Puerto Rican sensation actually began his career in brilliant fashion when he signed to Top Rank. Yet, more than merely aligning himself to the legendary company, Zayas became the youngest person ever recruited to the stable. While still in high school, Zayas signed on the dotted line at the tender age of 16 years old.
Since that time, he has only continued to make good on that initial promise that attracted TR in the first place. Late in his debut year, the young Puerto Rican fought a pair of fights. He would follow this up with four prizefights in the next. Then, in 2021, Zayas staged six dustups and won four of them by way of knockout. Yet, even in those contests that went the distance, the young phenomenon performed in a manner consistent with the future champion that he was billed to be.
I’M THE MAN!
While conducting a recent interview on the Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer, when asked, Zayas shared his belief that he is leading the pack of the latest batch of young guns.
“Xander Zayas! I was talking about it with [heavyweight] Jared Anderson. He is one of my friends. I don’t see him as a prospect anymore, I see him as a contender. He’s getting close to a world title shot, so I see him as a contender.
Brandon Lee, again, also I see him more as a contender. I mean he is fighting great opposition, he’s in that top level already, so I don’t see him either, as a prospect. So there we already took out two big names that were in that list. Now the only one left is me! And I feel this year, it was really busy year, I’ve improved from fight one to fight number six. I’ve fought good opposition on the way and I feel like I am Prospect of the Year!”
ONE BRIGHT FUTURE
Obviously, just because Zayas thinks that he should be crowned as the Prospect of the Year doesn’t mean that it will automatically happen. Regardless of how the award plays out, the Puerto Rican has his mind set on grander goals. In fact, if things play out his way, Zayas fancies that he will be a world champion in the near future.
“[I will be a champion] in 2023! Mid or end of the year, 2023.”
Luckily for Zayas, whether he wins the upcoming designation or not, it will not have any bearing on how the remainder of his career will unfold. And judging by the trajectory that he is currently on, his being a world champion in the near future sounds like a very solid bet. So, let’s enjoy what Xander Zayas’s career has instore for him and the boxing public at large!
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By: Bakari Simpson
