Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) executed a style reminiscent of a cat-and-mouse game, utilizing movement and clinching techniques to secure a lackluster 12-round unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia (33-5, 26 KOs) and claim the unclaimed WBO junior middleweight belt on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
Spectators present at ringside observed mostly in silence, a consequence of Zayas’s constant motion and frequent clinches. Those supporting Zayas appeared uneasy with the unfolding performance. Their dissatisfaction was understandable, as the bout proved to be uninspiring.
It may be surprising that Top Rank has devoted significant financial resources to promote Zayas, aiming to elevate him to stardom. His performance lacked excitement, and it remains uncertain if he could overcome other champions in the 154-pound division. Matching Zayas against those champions would be a questionable decision.
The judges’ scores were tallied as 119-109, 119-109, and 120-108.
Preliminary Card Results
Featherweight Bruce Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) earned the WBC interim featherweight title, triumphing over Mateus Heita (14-1, 9 KOs) via a 12-round unanimous decision. The judges scored the contest 119-109, 119-109, and 120-108.
Carrington opted for a strategy of boxing and evasion throughout the fight, rather than engaging in a slugfest with the harder-hitting Heita. Experiencing heavy blows from Heita early on, Carrington determined that standing and trading punches was not advantageous. Heita pursued Carrington persistently, landing significant blows when Carrington paused, while also deflecting many of Carrington’s counterattacks.
Carrington’s showing did not deliver the excitement his New York followers desired. His tactical approach resulted in a rather dull spectacle. If the gold standard for featherweight entertainment is exemplified by WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, Carrington’s performance was less impressive.
Light welterweight prospect Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) swiftly defeated Alexander Espinoza (20-4-1, 9 KOs), achieving a one-punch knockout in the first round. Vargas connected with a precise right hand to Espinoza’s jaw, sending him crashing to the mat. Unable to recover, the fight was promptly stopped. The stoppage occurred at 42 seconds of the first round.
Welterweight contender Rohan Polanco (17-0, 10 KOs) prevailed over seasoned veteran Quinton Randall (15-3-1, 3 KOs) by a comfortable 10-round unanimous decision. Polanco frequently missed while attempting powerful shots, aiming for a knockout. Despite his 10 knockouts, Polanco, not known as a powerful puncher, encountered difficulties with Randall’s boxing skills. The judges’ scores read 97-93, 100-90, and 99-91. The fight was more competitive than the scores suggested.
Super flyweight prospect Juanma Lopez De Jesus (3-0, 2 KOs) easily defeated Jorge L. Gonzalez-Sanchez (5-3, 4 KOs), resulting in a second-round stoppage due to a questionable call by the referee. Juanma knocked Gonzalez-Sanchez down three times during the bout, twice in the first round and once in the second.
Referee John Murdock halted the fight after Juanma knocked Gonzalez-Sanchez down with a right hand that caused him to fall to the canvas. The referee apparently missed the nature of the shot and ended the fight prematurely, at 1:14 of round two.
Featherweight Yan Santana (15-0, 12 KOs) dominated Aaron Alameda (30-3, 17 KOs), landing shots almost at will and securing a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision. The judges’ scores were 100-90, 100-90, and 100-90.
Zayas vs. Garcia: Unclaimed Title Contest
Top Rank might come to regret its choice to pit its promising prospect, Zayas, against the more seasoned Jorge Garcia. Zayas, 22, although holding the #1 ranking with the WBO, is essentially a prospect lacking extensive world-class experience, facing a Mexico-born fighter who hasn’t received the same preferential treatment throughout his career.
The Zayas-Garcia main card began at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+. The preliminary card was broadcast on ESPN+, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Bruce Carrington: Interim Title Match
Bruce Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) competed for the unclaimed WBC interim featherweight title against Mateus Hiata (14-0, 9 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature. The World Boxing Council’s decision to have their interim 126-lb belt at stake in this fight has raised eyebrows among fans. Hiata, ranked #11, isn’t highly regarded, and Carrington’s recent performances against lower-level opponents have been unremarkable.
Complete Main Card
Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Perez
Bruce Carrington vs. Mateus Heita
Emiliano Vargas vs. Alexander Espinoza
Prelims Undercard Streamed on ESPN+
Rohan Polanco vs. Quinton Randall
Juanmita Lopez De Jesus vs. Jorge Gonzalez-Sanchez
Yan Santana vs. Aaron Alameda
Steven Navarro vs. Cristopher Rios
Julius Ballo vs. Brandan Ayala
Top Rank’s Plan: Shaping a Star
It is believed by fans that Top Rank thoroughly analyzed Xander Zayas’ adversary, Jorge Garcia, determining him suitable for a showcase, designed to make Xander appear more impressive than he truly is. If Garcia posed a genuine threat, he likely wouldn’t have been chosen as Zayas’ opponent.
Xander is not regarded as the caliber of talent capable of competing against fighters such as Israil Madrimov, Erickson Lubin, Vergil Ortiz Jr, Jaron Ennis, or Serhii Bohachuk with an expectation of victory.
