Puerto Rican junior middleweight Xander Zayas will get back to the ring very soon as he is set to face Mexico’s Damian Sosa in a 10-round bout on Friday, September 27, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The event is headlined by a WBO women’s welterweight title fight between champion Sandy Ryan and former junior lightweight champion Mikaela Mayer.
Zayas, who signed with Top Rank at just 16 years old, has steadily built a fanbase in New York since turning pro in 2019. His last appearance in the city, a main event debut at the same venue in June, saw him defeat former world champion Patrick Teixeira over 10 rounds. Now, Zayas faces a tough challenge in Sosa, who is coming off a victory against unbeaten prospect Marques Valle earlier this year.
"Damian Sosa is a Mexican warrior who brings work ethic, hunger, and drive," Zayas said. "He’s coming off a solid win, and I know he’ll be well-prepared. That’s exactly what we want—his best version on fight night."
Zayas emphasized the importance of smart preparation and sticking to the game plan for this fight. "We’re adjusting for a fighter who applies a lot of pressure and throws a lot of punches. It’s all about being smart, listening to my corner, and staying focused throughout the fight," he added.
As Zayas prepares for his return to The Garden, he’s excited about the growing support from his fans in New York. "Every time I fight here, I feel more love and support from the people. It’s something special," Zayas said, looking forward to delivering another memorable performance in the city that has become a second home for him.
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Image Credit: Sky Sports