At just 21 years old, junior middleweight Xander Zayas carries the experience and wisdom of a seasoned fighter. This year, he is eager to demonstrate his maturity and skill in the ring.
On Saturday night, Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) will face former title challenger Patrick Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) in a 10-round bout at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, part of Top Rank's ESPN showcase.
Teixeira, currently on a three-fight winning streak, is fighting to reclaim his standing in the boxing world. He is the most seasoned opponent Zayas has faced to date.
“He’s looking to reestablish himself among the top names in boxing, and I know he’s coming with a point to prove,” Zayas commented about Teixeira. “He’s got nothing to lose, which makes this fight particularly interesting. It will force me to stay sharp every moment of every round. I need to be patient, break him down methodically, and not let the crowd’s energy distract me. I have to be precise and intelligent.”
Zayas has steadily ascended to contender status.
“I don’t think I’m even at 40 percent of my potential yet,” he remarked. “Each fight gets me closer. I’ve defeated some strong contenders recently. I’m progressing. I know that when the time is right, I will showcase my full capabilities. I don’t turn 22 until September, so I have time. This will be my first fight in 2024, and I hope to step into the ring three times this year.”
Zayas acknowledges the challenge Teixeira presents with his experience and cunning.
“He’s smart and will try to coax me into making mistakes,” Zayas admitted. Teixeira, at 33, has seen many battles and holds a 3-3 record in his last six fights. He fought just once last year, stopping Carlos Rivero in the second round.
“He throws a lot of punches, so I need to time him and punch between his combinations,” Zayas said. “Right now, my focus is entirely on Teixeira. I’ll worry about what comes next later. This is my dream come true, headlining a main event for the first time.”
Reflecting on his development, Zayas noted the improvements in his game.
“I need to work on my defense, setting up my attacks better, and using angles more effectively,” he observed. “I’ve grown a lot in the past year. Each fight teaches me something new. Experience is key, and the more you fight, the better you get. I’ve learned to make adjustments and react naturally.”
“I no longer need to remind myself to use the jab or be defensively aware; it’s becoming second nature,” Zayas added. “My head movement has improved, and that’s due to pushing myself and making adjustments. I’m living my dream, and it’s all coming together.”