Vinny's Corner

Xander Zayas takes a 116-112, 116-112, 112-116 SD12 win over r to unify the WBA and WBO Super Welterweight Titles!

The highly anticipated junior middleweight (super welterweight) title unification bout between Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico (also known as Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This homecoming fight for the local star Zayas headlined a Top Rank-promoted card and delivered a competitive, tactical battle that ended in a split decision victory for the undefeated Puerto Rican.

The 12-round clash was a classic boxer-vs-puncher dynamic. Zayas utilized his superior speed, movement, and technical boxing to control range for much of the fight, outlanding Baraou with cleaner shots and effective counterpunching. He showed poise under pressure, avoiding Baraou’s power shots while piling up points with volume and accuracy.

Baraou pressed forward aggressively at times, looking to land heavy body and power punches to slow Zayas down and turn the tide. The German had moments of success, particularly in exchanges where he could close distance, but Zayas’ defense and ring generalship limited the damage. The bout remained close on the scorecards, with neither fighter scoring a knockdown, though Zayas appeared to pull ahead in the later rounds with stronger output.

The Decision and Aftermath

After 12 hard-fought rounds, the judges’ scores reflected the competitiveness: two scored it 116-112 for Zayas, while one judge controversially scored it 116-112 for Baraou, resulting in a split decision victory for Zayas. The win improved Zayas’ record to 23-0 (13 KOs) and made him the unified WBO and WBA junior middleweight champion—the youngest active unified male titleholder in boxing and the first Puerto Rican to achieve unified status at this level.

Post-fight, Zayas expressed joy and gratitude in his hometown atmosphere, calling the moment “amazing” at just 23 years old. Baraou fell to 17-2 (9 KOs) in a disappointing but respectable effort, showing emotion after the result. Some observers felt Zayas won more convincingly (e.g., wider margins like 118-110 on unofficial cards), and the dissenting scorecard drew criticism, but the majority view credited Zayas for outworking and outclassing his opponent in a sensational performance.

This unification solidifies Zayas as one of boxing’s brightest young talents and a rising force at 154 pounds, with his blend of skill, youth, and marketability positioning him for bigger opportunities ahead. The fight highlighted Puerto Rican boxing pride and delivered an exciting chapter in the super welterweight division’s landscape.

What’s next for Zayas? He has called out Vergil Ortiz Jr. Let’s Go!

By Vincent

Photo courtesy of Top Rank Boxing