Zayas Unifies Titles in Split Decision Win

Xander Zayas captured a second world title in the junior middleweight division on Saturday night, defeating Abass Baraou by split decision in a 12-round unification bout at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican, entering as the WBO champion, added Baraou's WBA belt to his collection, improving his undefeated record to 23-0 with 13 knockouts.

The fight unfolded as a tactical battle, with Zayas relying on his jab and footwork to control the pace. From the early rounds, he worked behind a sharp left hand, targeting Baraou's body while circling away from counters. Baraou, a 30-year-old Frenchman with a strong amateur background, pressed forward and landed his right hand effectively in spots, including the third round. Yet Zayas maintained composure, doubling his jab and mixing combinations to build leads in the middle rounds.

The seventh saw Baraou rally with increased pressure, but Zayas responded by tightening his defense and output. By the ninth, Zayas found his rhythm, using angles to land cleaner shots and force Baraou into reactive mode. The championship rounds solidified his edge, as he stayed active in exchanges and finished...