Comments Thread For: Xander Zayas Hopes To Be in The World Title Conversation By Mid-2024

[Boricua181]

The problem still remains: Top Rank does NOT have Gausha, Lubin, Ramos, and Fundora!

Those aren't the only fighters in the 154 pound division, there are plenty of other fighters for him to fight.
There won't be any shortage of opponents for him to fight in preparation for a title shot, in the last quarter of 2024, or in early 2025.

[Malvado]

In my opinion, if he can't beat Lubin next year, "he's not the fighter they were building him up to be!"

That's a very dangerous fight to take for any upcoming fighter, Lubin is an experienced vet (beaten a prime Cota, Gausha and Rosario) with a lot of knockout power. Even if Zayas fought him and lost, it be pretty absurd to dismiss him as a future contender.

[Bronx2245]

Those aren't the only fighters in the 140 pound division, there are plenty of other fighters for him to fight.
There won't be any shortage of opponents for him to fight in preparation for a title shot, in the last quarter of 2024, or in early 2025.

Zayas is in the 154lb. division!

[Bronx2245]

That's a very dangerous fight to take for any upcoming fighter, Lubin is an experienced vet (beaten a prime Cota, Gausha and Rosario) with a lot of knockout power. Even if Zayas fought him and lost, it be pretty absurd to dismiss him as a future contender.

He's supposed to be the next Trinidad and Cotto! The standard has been set! I had nothing to do with that! Year 3, Championship level is an expectation! He knows!

[Malvado]

He's supposed to be the next Trinidad and Cotto! The standard has been set! I had nothing to do with that! Year 3, Championship level is an expectation! He knows!

I don't know, Lubin isn't the most technical fighter but he possess career ending power. Zayas has never faced a power puncher at any level and if Espadas/Salazar landed clean shots, Erickson will likely do so.

Xander Zayas should take a path similar to Jesus Ramos, he has steadily has taken tough opposition with varying styles and is still pretty young.

[Boricua181]

Zayas is in the 154lb. division!

I'm aware of that, I don't know why on earth I typed in 140, instead of 154 where he actually is fighting at currently.
These things happen no one is perfect, and there is a lot of talk swirling around the 140 pound weight class at this point in time.
So to be clear there are plenty of other fighters for Zayas to fight in order to get him prepared to challenge for the 154 pound title.
Moreover I don't see Zayas remaining much longer at the 154 pound class, look for him to move up to 160 by 2025 if not sooner.

[Zaroku]

Being ready by mid 2024 for a title challenge is way ahead of where he is at right now, or probably will be by then.
He still needs to build his overall skill level by fighting a few more fighters with different styles, especially boxers whom he'd have to figure out.
At least 5 more fight's before a title challenge at 154, or if he can't maintain his weight at 154, and 7 more fights before challenging for a title at 160.
Those 5 additional fights would put his record at 20-0, while 7 additional fights would put his record at 22-0, which is a lot more reasonable than 18 fights by mid 2024.

You speak truths brother. Respect

[Bronx2245]

I don't know, Lubin isn't the most technical fighter but he possess career ending power. Zayas has never faced a power puncher at any level and if Espadas/Salazar landed clean shots, Erickson will likely do so.

Xander Zayas should take a path similar to Jesus Ramos, he has steadily has taken tough opposition with varying styles and is still pretty young.

That's my point. Ramos has many more options to fight and develop at PBC. Xander does not have that luxury at TR. I think the strategy at TR is to get him in a mandatory position next year, but I don't know if they can find enough good opposition before that happens? Meanwhile Ramos can fight Gausha, Fundora, Lubin, Yoelvis Gomez, etc.!

[Bronx2245]

I'm aware of that, I don't know why on earth I typed in 140, instead of 154 where he actually is fighting at currently.
These things happen no one is perfect, and there is a lot of talk swirling around the 140 pound weight class at this point in time.
So to be clear there are plenty of other fighters for Zayas to fight in order to get him prepared to challenge for the 154 pound title.
Moreover I don't see Zayas remaining much longer at the 154 pound class, look for him to move up to 160 by 2025 if not sooner.

Name two, that are not with PBC.

[Boricua181]

Name two, that are not with PBC.

The answer to your question will be provided when Top Rank schedules his future opponents.
Other than that I'm not getting hung up over this fighter, will never fight that fighter, because he's signed by a different promoter.
The opposing promoters have already co-promoted several big fights in the past, so that said if there's enough money, and interest in a fight, it'll get done.