Xander Zayas says he said “Yes” to a fight against Vergil Jr. on February 22. Unseeded 154 lb contender Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) said he was given an hour to decide, and agreed. “in a minute.”
It’s admirable that Zayas agreed to face Vergil, but he’s not ready for it. Zayas doesn’t seem ready to fight a killer like Ortiz Jr, and it has nothing to do with age or experience. Xander lacks the spark to fight at an A level like Vergil or any other top fighter at 154. He is a finesse fighter from the Shakur mold that moves, holds, and does the least. It would be like a plate of food for a shark like Vergil Ortiz.
What Zayas lacks:
– The power
– China
– Courage
– Experience
Ortiz Jr. vs Zayas: A done deal?
Zayas, 22, is not saying whether his promoters at Top Rank have agreed to him fighting interim 154lb WBC champion Ortiz. Although there wouldn’t be a weight issue preventing a fight between Zayas and Vergi, Xander’s age and lack of experience may make Top Rank hesitant to make that fight. Until the official promoters, you have to be skeptical.
Zayas is not a big puncher and he looked down there average in fights against Damian Sosa, Patrick Teixeira and Alexis Salazar Flores. Xander is ranked #1 WBO, #4 WBC, and #5 IBF. Those high rankings were given to him based on victories over marginal opposition. Moving on from the Sosa and Teixeira fight to the Vergil Ortz Jr. fight. it would be a massive leap in competition.
Vergil Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) needs an opponent for the Riyadh season card on February 22. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis chose not to take the fight with him. According to Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, it was written in the contract that the fight with Ortiz Jr. would be at 147, not 154. He says Boots wants to Unify the 147-lb division.
Ortiz Jr. he can’t go back to 147, a division he hasn’t fought in since 2022, and then deal with the IBF’s 10 lb rehydration limit. It could put their health at risk.
Is Zayas ready?
Top Rank tried to turn Xayas, born in Puerto Rico, into a star in the same way they did with New Yorker Edgar Berlanga. They have been pitting Zayas against tomato cans to develop him, and he did not show much promise. That’s what you call “False Development” that was done with Xander.
He is not ready for a fight like Vergil or any of the other assassins at 154 years old, and he may never be. It is another type of Berlanga in terms of the way it is associated. Top Rank made Zayas look better than he actually is, and he didn’t always look good. No power, chinny and timid. He is the opposite of Miguel Cotto.
Options of Vergil Jr
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Israel Madrimov
– Serhii Bohachuk: the revenge
– Terence Crawford
– Errol Spence
– Charles Conwell
– Erickson Lubin
Any of these talents would be infinitely more preferable than Zayas for Vergil Jr’s opponent on February 22nd. Spence is shot to pieces, but the devastated car accident version is a much better option for Vergil.
They gave me an hour to say yes. I said yes in a minute. @VergilOrtiz @trboxing @Turki_alalshikh @GoldenBoyBoxing
-Xander Zayas (@XanderZayas) November 30, 2024
