Did Xander Zayas Just Save The Day For Vergil Ortiz Jr.?

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Xander Zayas says he’s said “Yes” to a fight against Vergil Jr. on February 22nd. The undefeated 154-lb contender Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) claims he was given an hour to decide, and he agreed “in one minute.”

It’s admirable that Zayas agreed to face Vergil, but he’s not ready for this. Zayas doesn’t look like he would ever be ready to fight a killer like Ortiz Jr, and it has nothing to do with age or experience. Xander is missing the spark to fight at an A-level like Vergil or any other top fighter at 154. He’s a finesse fighter from the Shakur mold who moves, holds, and does the minimum. That would be like a plate of food for a shark like Vergil Ortiz.

What Zayas Lacks:

– Power
– Chin
– Courage
– Experience

Ortiz Jr. vs. Zayas: A Done Deal?

Zayas, 22, doesn’t say whether his promoters at Top Rank have agreed to him fighting WBC interim 154-lb champion Ortiz. Although there wouldn’t be a weight issue preventing a fight between Zayas and Vergi, Xander’s age and lack of experience may make Top Rank hesitant to make that fight. Until the promoters make it official, you have to be skeptical.

Zayas isn’t a big puncher and has looked below average in fights against Damian Sosa, Patrick Teixeira, and Alexis Salazar Flores. Xander is ranked #1 WBO, #4 WBC, and #5 IBF. Those high rankings have been given to him based on wins over marginal opposition. Going from fighting Sosa and Teixeira to battling Vergil Ortz Jr. would be a massive jump up in competition.

Vergil Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) needs an opponent for the Riyadh Season card on February 22nd. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis chose not to take the fight with him. According to Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, it was written in the contract the fight with Ortiz Jr. would be at 147, not 154. He says Boots wants to Unify the 147-lb division.

Ortiz Jr. can’t return to 147, a division he hasn’t fought at since 2022, and then deal with the IBF’s 10-lb rehydration limit. He would be putting his health at risk.

Is Zayas Ready?

Top Rank has been trying to turn the Puerto Rico-born Xayas into a star in the same way they were doing with New Yorker Edgar Berlanga. They’ve been matching Zayas against tomato cans to develop him, and he hasn’t shown much promise. It’s what you call ‘Fake development’ that has been done with Xander.

He’s not ready for a fighter like Vergil or any of the other killers at 154, and he may never be. He’s another Berlanga type in terms of the way he’s being matched. Top Rank has made Zayas look better than he actually is, and he still hasn’t looked good. No power, chinny, and timid. He’s the opposite of Miguel Cotto.

Vergil Jr’s Options

– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Israil Madrimov
– Serhii Bohachuk: the rematch
– Terence Crawford
– Errol Spence
– Charles Conwell
– Erickson Lubin

Any one of these talents would be infinitely more preferable than Zayas for Vergil Jr’s opponent for February 22nd. Spence is shot to pieces, but the ravaged car crash version of him is a much better option for Vergil.




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