Xander Zayas understands that a title shot is more than a win away

Xander Zayas could also be nearer to fulfilling his world title dream, however the junior middleweight believes there’s extra to be carried out earlier than he achieves that objective.

Puerto Rico’s Zayas, 21, is billed to battle Damian Sosa of Mexico in a 10-round contest at 154 on the undercard of the WBO welterweight championship headliner between titleholder Sandy Ryan and Mikaela Mayer at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York on Sept. 27.

Forward of going through Sosa (25-2, 12 KOs), Zayas admitted that it could take greater than beating his Mexican opponent to land a title shot.

“I really feel like, after all, I do the service job, however for a few of these guys, it is like, excessive bridge, low reward,” Zayas instructed BoxingScene. “So, I do know it is gonna take much more than simply beating Damon Sosa. I gotta battle another guys to make that occur. However, sure, I really feel like I am prepared. I really feel like I deserve that shot. I am a reputation that lots of people like watching.

“So, I do deserve the shot, however I do know a few of these guys should not gonna wish to battle me proper now.”

Zayas (19-0, 12 KOs) stays one the most effective fighters at 154 since turning professional in 2019 at age 16. The Puerto Rican, who fights out of Dawn, Florida, is undefeated in 19 fights and is ranked extremely by WBO, WBC and IBF. On Sept. 27, Zayas could be introduced with a possibility to inch nearer to a 154-pound title – an opportunity he needs to seize with every part in him.

“If I would like me to be trustworthy, a knockout, clearly, but it surely does not matter the way it comes. I am able to go 10 rounds if I’ve to. I am able to make him pay each time, break him down little by little. If the chance is there, I’m gonna take it. 

“If I do every part completely, I ought to cease him in spherical eight or 9. I must be breaking him down and would get him out by then. I’m gonna get him out of there. But when not, I am keen to field him and now hustle him for 10 rounds.”

Zayas described his coaching camp as nice and is hoping to have 10 weeks of preparation for the Sosa battle. Clearly, Zayas is aware of the magnitude of the battle forward and is able to make his opponent pay for his errors.

“Nicely, Damian Sosa is a fighter that is gonna come ahead. He is gonna put lots of aggression, throw lots of punches, and attempt to flip it up, from I would not say the get go, however from the center spherical. He’s gonna attempt to discover a fundamental lay inside. So, so long as I could make him really feel uncomfortable each time he is available in, each time I am within the bay, my distance, make him miss, make him pay, being positioned, I really feel prefer it’s gonna be a simple evening for me.

Sosa has gone 14-1 in his final 15 fights. The harmful Mexican’s solely defeat in latest occasions got here in a 10-round unanimous choice loss to Ivan Alvarez in March final 12 months. When requested how properly he is aware of Sosa, Zayas mentioned, “I’ve watched his fights. Once more, he’s a fighter that has lots of coronary heart, a fighter that has lots of starvation to win and to be nice in boxing, and someone that’s simply not gonna cease throwing. I really feel like he is a machine. He is gonna come. He is gonna convey a battle.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports activities journalist with a specialty in boxing protection. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He may be reached on X (previously Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and thru e-mail at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.