Xander Zayas Vs. Jorge Garcia: Date, Time And How To Watch
Is Saturday night the coronation of boxing's next great Puerto Rican champion? We'll find out on a historic show at an iconic event when the undefeated Xander Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) takes on Mexico's Jorge Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs) in the main event of what figures to be Top Rank Boxing's final show on ESPN.
The event takes place at The Theater in Madison Square Garden where Zayas is a perfect 7-0 and looking to remain unblemished. At stake, the two men will battle for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world championship. Here's the details you'll need to follow along.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Xander Zayas punches Slawa Spomer during their junior ... More middleweight fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by)
Edgar Berlanga was originally thought to be heir apparent when it comes to Puerto Rican boxing royalty, but his career has fallen on hard times with a loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2024 and a KO loss at the hands of Hamzah Sheeraz earlier this month in New York.
With all due respect to Subriel Mattias, who just captured the WBC 135-pound title in a hard-fought battle against Alberto Puello on July 12, Zayas' popularity and star power seem to give him a higher ceiling.Zayas vs. Garcia Date, Time and How to Watch
Zayas - Garcia Full Card
Xander Zayas – Last 5 Fights
Jorge Garcia – Last 5 Fights
Bruce 'Shu Shu' Carrington vs. Mateus Heita – Undercard Spotlight
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 29: Bruce Carrington waits to make his walk to the ring for a ... More featherweight bout against Jose Enrique Vivas at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on March 29, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carrington won the bout with a third-round TKO. (Photo by)
'Shu Shu' Carrington has been one of the standout prospects in Top Rank's pipeline, and Saturday's co-feature gives him a massive opportunity to prove he's ready for more. The undefeated Brooklyn native will face Mateus Heita with the interim WBC featherweight title on the line—a serious jump in stakes and visibility.
Carrington's rise has been steady and highlight-worthy, but Heita's never been stopped and brings real power from Angola. If Carrington can stay sharp and deliver another signature performance, this could fast-track him into a title shot before the year ends.
The Bottom Line: Zayas vs. Garcia
Zayas' potential ascent to championship status is happening in the right fight. It would appear Garcia will be the toughest opponent Zayas has faced in his young career.
Zayas has looked confident, poised and like a business-minded young star ready to call himself a champion. Garcia has been in with some of the top fighters in the weight class and he too is hungry to raise championship gold.
If Zayas stays defensively responsible, his superior offensive gifts will land him the title he's been chasing. If he doesn't, things could get interesting and we could have a war on our hands.
If Zayas wins, he could find himself fighting in the big room at MSG. But first things first, he has to handle Garcia, and that will not be an easy task. It's Puerto Rico vs. Mexico again with a world title on the line. Stay tuned as I will have the fight night coverage.
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