Philippines, 26 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown

PhilBoxing.com


Coverage from San Juan begins at 6:30 p.m. AST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Jan. 29, 2026) — Puerto Rican WBO junior middleweight world champion Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) is set for his high-stakes homecoming. Zayas will battle WBA king Abass Barou (17-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday evening from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.

The full Zayas vs. Baraou card will be broadcast in Puerto Rico on WAPA Deportes, the only local channel dedicated entirely to sports programming, starting at 6:30 p.m. AST. The event will also be available via live stream at https://wapa.tv/envivo/deportes/, exclusively for residents of Puerto Rico.

The WAPA Deportes telecast will feature seven bouts, including the return of second-generation superstar Juamita Lopez De Jesus (4-0, 2 KOs). The son of former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez will face Conner Goade (8-4-2, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder at junior bantamweight.

“We have closely followed Xander Zayas’s career. His technical skill and power have propelled him to the peak of his career. Broadcasting this fight card, headlined by him, reflects WAPA Deportes’ commitment to offering top-tier sports programming and supporting the new generation of athletes who represent the present and future of boxing. Our goal is to bring the audience relevant, high-quality events that connect with the country’s passion for sports,” said Paco Vargas, General Manager of WAPA Deportes.

“Zayas vs. Baraou is a historic event for Puerto Rico, and we are thrilled to partner with WAPA Deportes,” said Top Rank COO Brad Jacobs. “Puerto Rican fight fans have followed Xander intently ever since he turned pro, and on Saturday, they’ll watch as he attempts to unify the WBO and WBA junior middleweight world titles.”

WAPA Deportes is available in Puerto Rico through major cable and satellite providers, including Liberty (channels 44 and 244 HD), DIRECTV (channel 657), Claro TV (channel 5), Dish (channel 27), Sling TV, and Aire Digital (4.2). Visit www.wapa.tv for more details.

In the United States, the diaspora and the Hispanic community can enjoy the Spanish-language broadcast on WAPA América beginning at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. WAPA América is available as part of the Latino package of major cable and satellite providers, including Spectrum, Comcast, DIRECTV, DishLATINO, YouTube TV, and Fubo, among others.

Jorge Hidalgo, President and CEO of WAPA Media, commented: “WAPA América continues to be the connection between Puerto Ricans living in the United States and their Island. The diaspora celebrates its own, and this broadcast is a key opportunity for them to experience the achievements of their athletes firsthand and stay connected to the pride and excitement of Puerto Rican boxing from the Island.”

“I’m very happy and grateful that my fight will be broadcast live for all the people of my Isla del Encanto on WAPA Deportes and for all my Boricuas in the diaspora on WAPA América," Zayas said. "Knowing that my people will be watching me live on national television motivates me even more to put on a great show and give it everything I have to make history this Saturday at El Choli. This one is for you.”

La Línea Deportiva will offer special coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. AST, while Noticentro and the digital platform Wapa.TV will provide special coverage of the fights on the card before, during, and after the event.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Santisima, Apolinar stop foes
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 22 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds
    , Sun, 21 Jun 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.