Xander Zayas is locking in his future while preparing for the biggest fight of his career. Top Rank announced Monday that it has reached a multi-year contract extension with the undefeated unified junior middleweight champion a full-circle moment for a fighter who first signed with the company at just 16 years old, becoming the youngest signee in promotional history.
“I’m blessed to continue representing Puerto Rico at the highest level of the sport with Top Rank,” Zayas said. “Now it’s time to keep collecting victories and championships for many more years.”
From Prospect to Unified Champion
Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has quickly evolved from rising prospect to one of boxing’s brightest young stars.
At just 23 years old, he’s already the youngest unified champion in the sport.
- Captured the vacant WBO title with a dominant decision over Jorge Garcia Perez (July 2025)
- Unified the division with a split-decision win over Abass Baraou (Jan. 31, 2026)
Now ranked No. 3 by The Ring Magazine at 154 pounds, Zayas is entering the prime of his career and doing it under long-term promotional stability.
The timing of the extension is no coincidence. Zayas is set to defend his WBA and WBO titles against undefeated knockout artist Jaron Ennis on June 27 at Barclays Center in New York.
The fight will headline a major DAZN PPV event and is widely viewed as one of the most significant matchups in the junior middleweight division. Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs), a former unified welterweight champion, brings elite power and pressure setting up a classic clash of rising pound-for-pound talent.
A Defining Moment at 154
For Zayas, this fight represents more than just a title defense it’s a proving ground. A win over Ennis would:
- Cement his status as the face of the 154-pound division
- Elevate him into legitimate pound-for-pound conversations
- Position him for even bigger unification or crossover mega fights
For Top Rank, the extension ensures they remain tied to one of boxing’s most marketable young champions during a critical stage of his career.
With youth, skill, and momentum on his side, Zayas is quickly becoming a cornerstone of boxing’s next generation. But June 27 will test everything. Because against Jaron Ennis, talent alone won’t be enough it will take greatness.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
