Xander Zayas is on the verge of a breakthrough. The Puerto Rican rising star, just 22 years old, steps into Madison Square Garden on July 26 for the biggest night of his career: a shot at the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight World Title. His opponent, Jorge Garcia Pérez, is no pushover—an experienced Mexican brawler with nothing to lose and everything to gain. For Zayas, this is more than just a title fight. It’s the moment to announce himself as the next face of the 154-pound division.
📘 Table of Contents
- 📅 Fight Basics: Date, Venue & Broadcast
- 🥊 Who Is Xander Zayas?
- 🥊 Who Is Jorge Garcia Pérez?
- 📊 Head-to-Head: Styles & Records
- 🎯 What’s at Stake?
- 🧠 Expert Take & Prediction
📅 Fight Basics: Date, Venue & Broadcast
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Main card ringwalk: ~9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT
Prelims start: ~5:10 pm ET / 2:10 pm PT
Location: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA
(Address: 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001)
Event: Vacant WBO Junior Middleweight (154 lb) World Title Fight
Promotion: Top Rank Boxing
Broadcast:
Tickets:
Doors open at 4:45 pm ET. Seating is limited, and early arrival is recommended for fans attending prelims live.
🥊 Who Is Xander Zayas?
Full Name: Xander Yarob Zayas Castro
Age: 22
Height / Reach: 5’10” (178 cm) / 74″ (188 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 18–0 (12 KOs)
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Florida, Xander Zayas is one of the most hyped prospects in boxing’s modern era. He became the youngest fighter ever signed by Top Rank at age 16, making his pro debut in 2019. Since then, he’s built an undefeated record, showcasing a polished jab, mature shot selection, and increasing knockout power.
Zayas is more than just a rising star — he’s a symbol of Puerto Rico’s storied boxing tradition. Following in the footsteps of icons like Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, Zayas has fought regularly at Madison Square Garden, where he’s cultivated a loyal following among NYC’s Latino fans.
In his most recent bout, Zayas stopped Patrick Teixeira in the fifth round — a decisive win over a former world champion that set the stage for this title shot. According to ESPN Boxing, his team believes he’s ready not just to win, but to dominate the division.
🥊 Who Is Jorge Garcia Pérez?
Full Name: Jorge “Jorgito” Garcia Pérez
Age: 27
Height / Reach: 5’9″ (175 cm) / 70″ (178 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 19–3 (15 KOs)
Hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, Jorge Garcia Pérez is a tough, no-nonsense pressure fighter with a solid knockout ratio. Though less internationally known than his opponent, Pérez has built a reputation in the Mexican domestic scene with a fan-friendly style, relentless body work, and resilience under pressure.
2024 was a breakthrough year for him, with three straight wins — two by knockout — in WBO-sanctioned regional fights. His most notable performance came in a 10-round battle against veteran Luis Enrique Romero, where he rallied late to win a unanimous decision. That bout, along with his WBO Latino title, paved the way to this world title opportunity.
As The Ring Magazine notes, Pérez enters as the underdog — but his camp insists he’s never been better conditioned, and that he thrives in high-pressure matchups.
📊 Head-to-Head: Styles & Records
| Attribute | Xander Zayas | Jorge Garcia Pérez |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 22 | 27 |
| Record | 18–0 (12 KOs) | 19–3 (15 KOs) |
| Height / Reach | 5’10” / 74″ | 5’9″ / 70″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Titles Held | WBO NABO Champion | Former WBO Latino Champion |
On paper, Zayas has the edge in nearly every category: he’s younger, taller, longer, undefeated, and has fought better opponents. His style is slick and measured, relying on timing and precision. Pérez, on the other hand, fights with grit and aggression — often taking risks in exchange for pressure and volume.
If Zayas can establish distance and rhythm early, he’ll control the bout. But if Pérez can cut off the ring and make it ugly, this could turn into a real test for the Puerto Rican phenom.
🎯 What’s at Stake?
This bout is more than a title fight — it’s a fork in the road for both careers.
For Xander Zayas, victory would establish him as one of boxing’s youngest world champions and validate his long-held “future of the division” label. With a win, he positions himself for lucrative unification fights against fellow 154-pounders like Israil Madrimov, Jermell Charlo, or Tim Tszyu. A statement performance here could also land him on ESPN’s pound-for-pound radar.
For Jorge Garcia Pérez, this is a golden ticket. A win would instantly make him a global name and open the door to major paydays — plus the respect that often eludes regional champions. He enters as the underdog, but the opportunity is massive: derail the hype train and claim a belt on foreign soil.
More broadly, the winner becomes a key player in a junior middleweight division that’s undergoing generational change. With long-time champions moving up in weight and new contenders emerging, this fight could shape the next era at 154 lb.
🧠 Expert Take & Prediction
Everything about this matchup suggests it’s Xander Zayas’s fight to lose. He’s younger, technically sharper, and has been brought up with a clear developmental plan under Top Rank. His composure, footwork, and shot placement are rare for his age — and he’s shown he can step up when challenged, as seen in his dismantling of Patrick Teixeira.
Jorge Garcia Pérez brings pressure and grit, but his defense is porous, and he can be hit clean early. Against someone with Zayas’s accuracy, that could prove dangerous. His best chance is to turn the fight into a war and test Zayas’s durability — but doing that at Madison Square Garden, on Zayas’s turf, is a tall order.
Prediction: Zayas by TKO in rounds 6–8. Expect a competitive start, but once Zayas finds his rhythm, the difference in class will become apparent.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Xander Zayas?
Xander Zayas is a 22-year-old Puerto Rican boxing prospect, unbeaten in 18 fights, and considered one of the rising stars at junior middleweight.
When and where is the fight taking place?
The bout is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
What title is on the line?
The fight is for the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight (154 lb) World Championship.
How can I watch the fight?
In the U.S., it streams live on ESPN+; internationally, it’s available via DAZN.
Who is the favorite to win?
Xander Zayas enters as the clear favorite due to his unbeaten record, home advantage, and higher level of recent competition.
