Junior middleweight Xander Zayas is set to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in New York City by making his headlining debut. He will face Brazilian former world titleholder Patrick Teixeira in the 10-round main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington will take on Panamanian power puncher Brayan “La Roca” De Gracia, who is a last-minute replacement for Jose Enrique Vivas, who withdrew due to visa issues. Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-De Gracia will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+, with Sky Sports airing the event in the U.K. and Ireland.

At a Thursday press conference, the fighters on the card shared their thoughts. Zayas expressed his excitement about headlining at MSG at just 21 years old, calling it a dream come true. He acknowledged the challenge Teixeira poses but emphasized his readiness to go 10 rounds if necessary. Teixeira, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of the fight for his career, aiming to return to the big stage with a win. He mentioned his adaptable style and the strategic preparation for this bout.

Watch the official press conference highlights: Watch

Carrington spoke about his ability to adapt to any opponent on short notice and thanked De Gracia for stepping in to keep the show going. He promised a special performance for the Puerto Rican fans. De Gracia, always prepared, said he would adapt to Carrington’s style and adjust his sparring partners accordingly. Johnson and Tucker, both excited to fight alongside their friends, promised knockouts and dominant performances. Johnson noted his successful training camp, while Tucker expressed his determination to showcase his skills in front of a home crowd at The Garden.

Nisa Rodriguez, making her second pro appearance, shared how her son motivated her to turn professional. Balancing her career as an NYPD officer and a professional boxer, she felt comfortable and supported by her family, friends, and colleagues. She looked forward to fighting at home with the encouragement of those around her.

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Image Credit: ESPN