Fight Week: Puerto Rican Junior Middleweight Star Xander Zayas Hits the Big Apple

Published by Shawn C.

*At only 19 years old, Puerto Rican junior
middleweight phenom Xander Zayas believes 2022 is the year he takes things
to the next level. Zayas, who hails from San Juan and now lives in South
Florida, will fight Louisiana native Quincy LaVallais in his first
scheduled eight-rounder Saturday at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Zayas-LaVallais will serve as the co-feature to the Edgar Berlanga-Steve
Rolls super middleweight main event live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast
on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs), who signed with Top Rank at 16 years of age, begins
his 2022 campaign following a 2021 that saw him fight six times and earn
Prospect of the Year consideration. His last two fights ended via knockout,
but he takes a sizable step up against LaVallais (12-2-1, 7 KOs), a
six-year pro who has never been knocked out. LaVallais is known to fight
fans for his December 2020 upset over Clay Collard inside the MGM Grand Las
Vegas Bubble. He is 2-2 since the Collard triumph, with both defeats coming
via close decision.

This is what Zayas had to say following his New York City arrival.

“After a very good year in 2021, my goals this year are to have at least
four fights, keep moving up in opposition, and finish the year fighting in
10-rounders. I would love to win a regional title and finish the year in
the top 15 of the junior middleweight division.”

“Being back in NYC is something that excites me and motivates me at the
same time. Fighting once again at Madison Square Garden and as the
co-feature feels amazing. This is such a great opportunity. I’m super
grateful for everything Top Rank and my team has done for me.”

“In the not-so-distant future, MSG will be my second home, just like it was
for Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad. I want to fill MSG up and bring a lot
of glory to my people from Puerto Rico and New York. I want to give my fans
a great show.”

*Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets
starting at $51 are on sale now and can be purchased by
visiting Ticketmaster.com
<TopRank.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa1ae9f9e3c18dcf7df10dda1&id=e6c9166c58&e=ae69d13328>
or *
*MSG.com*
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*.*