Comments Thread For: Xander Zayas' push for Baraou keeps Top Rank's best in tough

[BoxingUpdates]

With the exception of Naoya Inoue?s position as a prohibitive favorite over Alan Picasso in December, Top Rank?s world champions have signed up or found themselves locked in a daunting stretch of title-fight assignments between now and the end of January.
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[LAchargers373]

All the bums trying to get Abass baraou in the ring for a free title. I like xayas but this is pathetic. Ducked Ortiz for this garbage? Eff off lol

[Tag, You're Hit]

All the bums trying to get Abass baraou in the ring for a free title. I like xayas but this is pathetic. Ducked Ortiz for this garbage? Eff off lol

I disagree. I think we all need to manage expectations. This is prize fighting and Zayas is very young and a new champion (the youngest champion in boxing, I believe). Getting him a fight or two against credible opponents to make some money, raise his profile, and get work in before taking on the toughest challenges at 154 makes sense. And potentially grabbing another belt against what I think most people view as the weakest champion at 154 (and Zayas would be the second weakest) makes good business sense for Zayas. Certainly, he shouldn't be afforded more than a couple fights before mixing it up with the best the division has to offer, but this to me would be a good move for Xander. Plus, if he gets to do this in PR, which is what he wanted and what Ortiz didn't want, even better for him.

It's a calculated risk for Baraou, so hopefully he's getting paid enough because this could be his only defense of his title. He could take on a softer touch and make some more money before doing this fight. But, if he wins he's a unified champ and can paid big bucks after that.

So, for me, I'm cool with this matchup.

[BlackRobb]

I like Zayas as a person, but he gives off the odor or a protected fraud. He should be pushing to face Boots, Ortiz or Fundora, not done African soda can based in Europe.

[BlackRobb]

I disagree. I think we all need to manage expectations. This is prize fighting and Zayas is very young and a new champion (the youngest champion in boxing, I believe). Getting him a fight or two against credible opponents to make some money, raise his profile, and get work in before taking on the toughest challenges at 154 makes sense. And potentially grabbing another belt against what I think most people view as the weakest champion at 154 (and Zayas would be the second weakest) makes good business sense for Zayas. Certainly, he shouldn't be afforded more than a couple fights before mixing it up with the best the division has to offer, but this to me would be a good move for Xander. Plus, if he gets to do this in PR, which is what he wanted and what Ortiz didn't want, even better for him.

It's a calculated risk for Baraou, so hopefully he's getting paid enough because this could be his only defense of his title. He could take on a softer touch and make some more money before doing this fight. But, if he wins he's a unified champ and can paid big bucks after that.

So, for me, I'm cool with this matchup.

If youth will be an excuse, he should not be holding a belt hostage. If you're a "champ", you're expected to proceed like one. 154 has a load of viable opponents. Choosing some African no one has ever heard of is not a good look.

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

Crazy how 50/50 fights have promoters concerned. They'd best keep it up , boxing fans are sick and tired of being fed bullshlt and told it's gold.

[MulaKO]

I don’t mind the fight as long as afterwards he steps it up

[famicommander]

Baraou has a better resume than Zayas and it's not even close.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Don’t sleep on Baraou. He’s quality. I’ve seen it for myself.

[champion4ever]

I like Zayas as a person, but he gives off the odor or a protected fraud. He should be pushing to face Boots, Ortiz or Fundora, not done African soda can based in Europe.

That’s true. However, Zayas’ boxing ability could give both of those guys trouble. For example, Ennis has never looked good against a pure boxer.