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Philippines, 16 Dec 2025 |
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Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan PhilBoxing.com Tue, 11 Nov 2025  Puerto Rican second-generation phenom Juanmita Lopez De Jesus will return on the undercard SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov. 10, 2025) — Puerto Rican star Xander Zayas, boxing’s youngest male world champion, will kick off 2026 with a historic home soil event. The 23-year-old WBO junior middleweight world champion will face WBA king Abass Baraou in a title unification fight on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This will be only the second title unification bout to take place on Puerto Rican soil, following the 2010 light flyweight battle between Ivan Calderon and Giovani Segura. The Coliseo de Puerto Rico first hosted boxing with Miguel Cotto’s knockout over Kelson Pinto in 2004 and has since hosted world title events featuring Puerto Rican icons such as Calderon, Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, and Roman Martinez. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with ICON+, Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents, ticket on-sale information will be announced soon. “From the moment Xander Zayas won his world title, it was clear that his first title defense had to take place in Puerto Rico,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “The fact that he’ll be facing a fellow champion in front of a packed arena in San Juan makes it that much more special. The Puerto Rican fans are passionate and loyal and deserve to see their champion return home. This is not a routine title defense. Abass Baraou is a determined champion, an experienced road warrior who will embrace the challenge of fighting on Xander’s home turf.” Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) rose from teenage prodigy to world champion before his 23rd birthday. He captured his first regional strap in August 2022 with a fifth-round stoppage of Mexican veteran Elias Espadas, then added another belt that December by outpointing Alexis Salazar. After multiple defenses, he climbed to the No. 1 spot in the WBO rankings and faced upset-minded Jorge Garcia in July at his home away from home in New York City. Zayas earned a one-sided decision just six weeks before turning 23 and less than six years after turning pro as a 17-year-old in Reno, Nevada. “On January 31, we'll fulfill another dream. This time, I'll be fighting on my island,” Zayas said. “I'm going to unify two world titles in front of my people at Coliseo de Puerto Rico. We're going to make history together. See you there!” Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) spent his early childhood in his family’s native Togo before returning to Germany at age nine. A standout amateur, he won gold at the 2017 European Championships and bronze at that year’s World Championships, where he lost to two-time Olympic Gold medalist Roniel Iglesias. He turned pro in 2018 and has won eight since his lone defeat, a 2020 split decision loss to former world title challenger Jack Culcay. His breakout moment came in August when he upset Cuba’s Yoenis Tellez to capture the WBA interim title, scoring a knockdown in the closing seconds of the 12th round. He was elevated to full champion the following month after Terence Crawford vacated the title. Barou has won five consecutive fights outside of Germany, including a 2024 decision over Sam Eggington in England to capture the European title. “Xander is a great talent, and I give him full credit for stepping up and accepting this fight. Not everyone would take that risk, especially at this stage, but that’s what makes this matchup special. He has his country behind him, and I respect that, because I know what it means to carry that responsibility into the ring,” Baraou said. “I’m preparing to go into Puerto Rico, bring some real heat, and show the world that I’m a true force in this division. I’m not coming just to show up. I’m coming to make a statement, leave with another belt, and maybe even earn a few new Puerto Rican fans on the way out. When it’s all said and done, the world will know who the top dog at 154 really is.” The undercard will feature Puerto Rican second-generation hopeful Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs), the 19-year-old son of the aforementioned “Juanma.” He will see action in a six-round junior bantamweight tilt against an opponent to be named. Juanmita made his pro debut in February with a highlight-reel first-round knockout. He fought at home in April before returning on the undercard of Zayas’ world title triumph in July. Juanmita went the six-round distance for the first time in September, outpointing Luis Morales. His father notched five early-round knockouts at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, including a pair of world title defenses. Juanmita said, "I am incredibly thankful to God for the chance to fight at home once again and to be able to showcase my talent in front of my people. On January 31, we will show the world that Puerto Rico has a great prospect coming straight from 'The Island of Enchantment' in 'Juanmita' López."  |
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