Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Xander Zayas: "I'm Determined to Position Myself as a Top Contender!"

PhilBoxing.com





Zayas returns against Jorge Fortea on Saturday, December 9 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida & LIVE on ESPN

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2023) — Puerto Rican junior middleweight contender Xander Zayas hopes to close the year on an emphatic note.

Zayas will take on Spain's Jorge Fortea in a 10-round battle on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Zayas-Fortea will serve as the co-feature to the WBO featherweight world title showdown between reigning champ Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez and unbeaten Mexican contender Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza.

Ramirez-Espinoza and Zayas-Fortea will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) signed with Top Rank at 16 and has been on the path to superstardom ever since his pro debut in October 2019. In his fifth year as a pro, he is already inching closer to a title shot in the competitive 154-pound division. He notched an eight-round unanimous decision over Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in June and a fifth-round TKO against the hard-hitting Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. Fortea (24-3-1, 9 KOs), a 13-year pro from Spain, is riding a three-bout winning streak.

Following a recent training session, this is what Zayas had to say:

"We are counting down the days to fight night! I can't wait for the bell to ring on December 9 in South Florida. I dedicate this fight all my Boricuas from the 'Island of Enchantment' and the 'Puerto Rican Diaspora' who I know will tune in to my fight that night on ESPN."

"I am determined to close the year with a bang and to continue positioning myself as one of the main contenders at junior middleweight. In the new year, I'm aiming to continuing my climb up the ranks step by step. That is why I push myself to give my all every day in the gym. You will see a better version of me every time I fight."

"I am grateful for the support of the fans. I am also very happy to share the card with a great friend whom I respect a lot like "El Tren" from Cuba, Robeisy Ramírez. We are already close to a sold out venue, and we are ready to bring joy to our people. We're coming to put on a great Latin party between Cubans and Puerto Ricans."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.