Xander Zayas realizes his fight against Abass Baraou represents the best opportunity of his career to date.

Zayas, the 23-year-old WBO 154lbs champion from Puerto Rico, takes on Germany’s WBA beltholder Baraou on Saturday, January 31 at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in his hometown of San Juan.

Zayas has won all 22 fights as a pro, 13 via stoppage, and he claimed his title with a victory over Jorge Garcia in July.

Baraou is 17-1 (9 KOs), winning his title by upsetting Cuban Yoenis Tellez last August. He was upgraded to the WBA’s ‘full’ champion a month later.

Following a training session at Centeno's Sweatbox Boxing Gym, where Zayas trains with coach Javiel Centeno, Zayas said: “This is the best opportunity of my career, not just because of what’s at stake, but because I’m coming back home in front of my people. It’s been five years, and I’ve wanted to return ever since, but I knew I had to wait for the right moment. Now it’s here on January 31, when I return as a world champion.

“I want to be the first Puerto Rican to unify titles on the island. That’s really important to me because I want to keep making history and building my legacy. 

“Everybody is used to seeing champions take softer touches for their first defense. But because I’m going back to my island, I needed to do something big and give something special to the fans. Baraou is also making his first defense, so we’ll see two young fighters who want to show that big unification fights are still possible.”

Zayas rates Baraou highly and the two have sparred before, several times.

“Baraou is a good, aggressive fighter,” Zayas added. “People underestimate him because he’s not well known in the United States, I know what he brings, and he knows what I bring, so it’s going to be a big test for both of us on January 31.

“We’ve prepared for a warrior, someone who won’t stop coming forward. We know he’s going to throw a lot of punches. He’s not a better boxer, faster, smarter, or stronger, but he does have a lot of heart.”

Top Rank promotes the event, in association with ICON+ Move Concerts, and Noah Assad Presents.