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

[Tag, You're Hit]

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.

An African with a belt. How is unifying holding a belt hostage?

[LAchargers373]

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.

I’m realllly high on xayas and I agree he’s is VERY young so this isn’t bad for his development. As a champion though he not gonna get any softballs

[Corelone]

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

The way I look at it. Baraou has as much merit as Zayas. Who did they beat for their title, and how? Zayas used hit and run and run tactics and Baraou beat a 10 fight wonder. 50-50 outside of Puerto Rico.

[ShoulderRoll]

Look, Zayas can fight whoever he wants. But spare me all this talk of “he’s in tough” and “he’s a real fighter, he believes in himself” and he’s “daring.”

We all know he swerved Vergil Ortiz and wants no part of Murtazaliev.

[Bronx2245]

Fighting Zayas in a unification bout is a great move for Baraou! Why get busted up by Ennis, when he has a good (50/50) chance to beat Zayas first? It's also good for Zayas! He wants Vergil, but he's not in a good position to call shots. 2 belts could change all that!

[Brother Mouzone]

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.

Good post.

[BlackRobb]

An African with a belt. How is unifying holding a belt hostage?

An obscure African no one has ever heard of is mysteriously installed as WBA Jr. Middleweight champ, and you don't find that odd?

[BlackRobb]

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.

Isn't it odd that Boots was IBF champ at 147, but is only ranked #6 at 154 by the IBF? The WBA properly has Boots #1 because he held their belt at 147. I believe Eddie paid the IBF to rank Boots lower so that he wouldn't be in line to face Murtazaliev.

[Tag, You're Hit]

An obscure African no one has ever heard of is mysteriously installed as WBA Jr. Middleweight champ, and you don't find that odd?

I'm strictly talking from Zayas' perspective. But I suspect Tellez would be installed as the champ if he didn't get beat by Baraou. So, that's how it works. You know these sanctioning body rankings are mostly insanity.

[champion4ever]

Isn't it odd that Boots was IBF champ at 147, but is only ranked #6 at 154 by the IBF? The WBA properly has Boots #1 because he held their belt at 147. I believe Eddie paid the IBF to rank Boots lower so that he wouldn't be in line to face Murtazaliev.

Yes, I find that more than beyond ironic. Who the Hell is he running away from? Murtazaliev had only one good outing against Tim Tszyu.

Now he has become the most feared fighter in the 154 pound weight division. Once Josh Kelly exposes him. Then hopefully, this hype train would come to an end.

Fighters would no longer be afraid of fighting him anymore. I just don’t understand. Bakhram Murtazaliev is a much better style match up for Jaron Ennis than Zayas.

He would stand toe to toe, trade and exchange punches with Boots. Who can really hit but also has a very good chin.

On the other hand, Zayas is a much better style matchup for Vergil Ortiz. Who is more of an infighting face first swarmer who is more adept at cutting off the ring.