Xander Zayas says he said “Yes” to the fight against Vergil Jr. on February 22. Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) who fought at 154 lb) says 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’ll ever be ready to fight a killer like Ortiz Jr, and it has nothing to do with age or experience. Xander lacks the spark to fight at the A level just like Vergil or any other top fighter at 154. Shakur mold who moves, holds, and does the least. That would be like a dinner plate for a shark like Vergil Ortiz.
What Zayas says:
– Power
– The chin
– Courage
– Experience
Ortiz Jr. vs. Zayas: A Done Deal?
Zayas, 22, has not said whether his promoters at Top Rank have agreed to fight Ortiz, who is the interim WBC 154lb champion. While there would be no weight issue preventing a fight between Zayas and Vergi, Xander’s age and lack of experience would make Top Rank reluctant to make that fight. Until the promoters make it official, you should be skeptical.
Zayas is not a great singer either watch below average in fights against Damian Sosa, Patrick Teixeira, and Alexis Salazar Flores. Xander is ranked #1 WBO, #4 WBC, and #5 IBF. Those top rankings were given to him based on defeating marginal opponents. From fighting Sosa and Teixeira to fighting Vergil Ortz Jr. it would be a huge jump in the competition.
Vergil Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) needs an opponent on the Riyadh Season Card on February 22. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis chose not to take the fight to him. According to Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, a fight with Ortiz Jr. is written into the contract. it will be at 147, not 154. He says Boot wants to unify the 147-lb division.
Ortiz Jr. he can’t return to 147, a division he hasn’t fought at since 2022, and face the IBF’s 10-lb rehydration limit. He will be risking his life.
Is Zayas Right?
Top Rank was trying to turn the Puerto Rico-born Xayas into a star in the same way it was with New York’s Edgar Berlanga. They have gone to match the Zayas against the tomato cans developing him, and he hasn’t shown much promise. What you call ‘Fake development’ done with Xander.
He’s not ready for a fighter like Vergil or any of the other assassins in the 154, and he may never be. He is a different type of Berlanga in the way he is paired. Top Rank made Zayas look better than he is, and he still doesn’t look good. No power, no flash, no fear. He’s the opposite of Miguel Cotto.
Vergil Jr.’s Choices
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Israel Madrimov
– Serhii Bohachuk: repeat
– Terence Crawford
– Errol Spence
– Charles Conwell
– Erickson Lubin
Either of these talents will be more interesting than Zayas in Vergil Jr’s Rivalry on February 22nd. Spence is shot to pieces, but his version of the car crash is the best version of Vergil.
They gave me an hour to agree. I said yes in a minute. @VergilOrtiz @trboxing @Turki_alalshikh @GoldenBoyBoxing
— Xander Zayas (@XanderZayas) November 30, 2024
