This Saturday’s featured bout on ESPN, showcasing Xander Zayas against Jorge Garia, concludes an agreement with Top Rank. With no events scheduled in the immediate future, TR’s founder, Bob Arum, stated that the company will reveal its new broadcasting arrangement relatively soon.
(Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Speculation has included partnerships with DAZN and discussions with HBO Max, among various streaming entities. For boxing enthusiasts, it would be ideal for Top Rank to secure a new broadcast deal on a platform with a broader audience than DAZN in the United States. The future will reveal their choice and whether it involves one or multiple new partnerships, as Arum has suggested, to maintain boxing’s presence in America.
Focusing on the main event, which features a Top Rank fighter cultivated for his moment against a seasoned boxer who surprised many in his recent appearance. The event is scheduled for this Saturday and will be broadcast live on ESPN/ESPN+ from the Theater in Madison Square Garden, NY. Xander Zayas, with a record of 21-0, stands on the verge of securing his initial title in the 154-pound division. His challenger is Jorge Garcia Perez. Over the past five years, Garcia has suffered defeats against Carlos Ocampo and Etoundi Michel William. His victories primarily involved lesser-known opponents until late 2024, when he secured a win against Kudratillo Abdukakhorov.
Jorge’s notable victory occurred in April, defeating the highly regarded contender Charles Conwell by a split decision. Was Conwell unprepared for Garcia, or is Garcia more skilled than previously thought? This is a valid question, as some boxers experience early losses before achieving success. Nevertheless, this boxing commentator believes Garcia is a good assessment to gauge Zayas’s potential. To clarify, a decisive win will not definitively determine Xander’s career, but a significant struggle will provide insights into his future progression.
Jorge Garcia Perez was quite active against Charles Conwell, throwing around 750 punches. Although his jab was not particularly effective, Garcia landed more punches than Conwell in 8 of the 12 rounds, excluding jabs. This suggests a back-and-forth battle for significant portions of the fight. Ultimately, Xander’s jab and adaptability will lead to a favorable outcome for Zayas. Perez will not possess the same reach advantage he had against Conwell. Additionally, Zayas is expected to target the body when Jorge employs a high guard, leaving his midsection exposed.
Xander’s punches are more direct, and he will need to utilize his precision to land impactful shots. Jorge is considered a competitive underdog with odds ranging from +290 to +350 across various betting platforms. These odds increase if you wager on the method of victory, with +490 for a decision and +800 for a knockout. If you believe Zayas will stop Garcia, betting at +330 is an option. However, considering Jorge has never been knocked out, this boxing analyst is leaning towards a decision at -155, which seems reasonable.
My Official Prediction is Xander Zayas by Decision
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Side Note: Keep an eye on undercard boxers like Bruce Carrington, Rohan Palanco, Emiliano Vargas, Yan Carlos Santana-Guerrero, and More.
Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts & More! Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
