Philippines, 14 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Xander Zayas: “I Will Become a Top Contender in 2023!"

PhilBoxing.com




Zayas returns against Ronald Cruz on Saturday, April 1 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa LIVE on ESPN+
Tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com

MIAMI, Fla. (March 1, 2023) – Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) is one month away from his first fight of 2023. The Puerto Rican junior middleweight phenom will face nine-year veteran Ronald "Diablo" Cruz in the eight-round co-feature to the WBO featherweight world title clash between Robeisy Ramirez and Isaac Dogboe on Saturday, April 1, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Ramirez-Dogboe, Zayas-Cruz and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Zayas signed with Top Rank at 16 and has been on the fast track to stardom ever since. In 2021, the 20-year-old prospect notched six wins, four of them via stoppage. The following year, Zayas decisioned Quincy LaVallais in March, captured the vacant NABO junior middleweight title in August by knocking out Elias Espadas, and defended that title against Alexis Salazar in December. Zayas’ road to contender status continues against Cruz (18-2-1, 12, KOs), a Los Angeles native who has never been stopped and is coming off a close decision loss to Damian Sosa last August.

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

"I am working extremely hard in the gym because I want 2023 to be the year in which I position myself as one of the top contenders in the division."

"I know what I want, and I know what it will cost me to achieve it, but each of the sacrifices I make every day in the gym are paying off, and I do it with the intention of looking better every time I get into the ring. That motivates me. I strive to be better every single day because every time I step into the ring, I do it with the intention of raising the flag of my Island even higher."

"I respect my opponent, Ronald 'Diablo' Cruz. He is an experienced rival; he is a former WBC Latino regional champ. I know he is motivated and excited for this opportunity. He will bring out the best of me in the ring. Once the bell rings, I’m there to do a job."

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and available to purchase at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair (Part II)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Announces October 4th Showdown Featuring No. 1 WBA Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Facing World Champion Kubrat Pulev
    , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Jayson Vayson Ready to Battle Oscar Collazo for WBO/WBA World Titles (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Arab American boxing pride to be on display August 31st in Detroit
    , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Requinto to fight against an Indian in Davao on Aug. 31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • NU's Yana Emilou De Vera dominates U1700 Asian Amateur Chess Championships in Hongkong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Llover to defend OPBF title against former world champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya in Action in Brico Santig’s Aug 30 Show on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Jacamos is new PH Youth champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • FECOMBOX Unifies Boxing Commissions, Vows to Enhance Safety and Standards
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • 12-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Maurice H. Goldner: Letting the Filipino Fist Speak for Itself
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • WBC Boxing Grand Prix Quarterfinals Set for Riyadh: 32 Fighters Vie for Glory
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • Awesome! Jayson Vayson In Fight of his Life Against Oscar Collazo for Unified WBO/WBA Minimumweight Titles Sep 20 on DAZN (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • Midgley Stops Apisit, Claims WBF Australasian Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • FM Ivan Travis Cu takes first in Blitz at the 9th Eastern Youth Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • WBA, WBO AND RING MAGAZINE MINIMUMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR “EL PUPILO” COLLAZO TO DEFEND TITLES AGAINST JAYSON “STRIKER” VAYSON
    , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS LANDS WBA SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT FINAL ELIMINATOR AGAINST LIMA IN PHILADELPHIA ON OCT 11 LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • PERO CLASHES WITH THOMPSON IN ORLANDO ON NOV 1 AS HOMETOWN HERO JONES RETURNS LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • Tristan Jared Cervero wins Philippine Xiangqi tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • Team España rules 2025 DC Athletics Open
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • Cordero, Sta Brigada top DC Shotgun Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 12 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 AUGUST 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 11 Aug 2025
  • Abelgas finishes second in Asian Amateur Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.