‘I Am Determined to Close the Year With a Bang ‘: Xander Zayas About to Go Next Level?

Coming up on Saturday, December 9, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Puerto Rican junior middleweight contender Xander Zayas wants to make a statement – and end 2023 in style.

The contender will be the co-feature fight for Top Rank Boxing’s ESPN show in a scheduled 10-round battle with Spain’s Jorge Fortea.

Zayas recently spoke from a training session for the Fortea upcoming bout.

Xander Zayas Ready to Close the Year in Style

Working for Dec. 9 🧨@XanderZayas x #RamirezEspinoza pic.twitter.com/ds8BRytJ3j

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 29, 2023

Zayas On The Rise

Zayas, 17-0, 11 KOs, has had tremendous expectations on him since making his debut in October 2019. He’s now begun to deliver on bigger stages. That includes an eight-round unanimous decision over Ronald Cruz during “Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend” in New York City in June and then, a fifth-round TKO against Roberto Valenzuela in September.

“I am determined to close the year with a bang and to continue positioning myself as one of the main contenders at junior middleweight. In the new year, I’m aiming to continue my climb up the ranks step by step. That is why I push myself to give my all every day in the gym. You will see a better version of me every time I fight,” Zayas said.

“I am grateful for the support of the fans. I am also very happy to share the card with a great friend whom I respect a lot like “El Tren” from Cuba, Robeisy Ramírez. We are already close to a sold-out venue, and we are ready to bring joy to our people. We’re coming to put on a great Latin party between Cubans and Puerto Ricans.”

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Zayas is referring to the Cuban WBO featherweight champ Ramirez, who defends against Mexican contender Rafael Espinoza in the main event.

As for Fortea, he’s 24-3-1 with 9 KOs. The veteran from Spain is currently riding a three-bout winning streak, but will he be more target practice for Zayas?

The Ramirez-Espinoza and Zayas-Fortea will traditionally follow the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York – and will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.