Xander Zayas stops Slawa Spomer: German super welterweight suffers first defeat.
New York – Undefeated Puerto Rican boxer Xander Zayas made a statement in the super welterweight division by handing German fighter Slawa Spomer his first career defeat. In the co-main event of the WBO lightweight title fight between Denys Bernichyk and Keyshawn Davis, Zayas stopped his opponent in the ninth round at the legendary Madison Square Garden.
Zayas dominates with size advantage
The 22-year-old Zayas (21-0, 13 knockouts) used his physical advantage to control the ten-round fight from the outset. Spomer (20-1, 11 knockouts) held out for a long time, but a cracking left hook to the body in round nine opened up the German’s guard. Zayas followed up with a series of hard punches, forcing the referee to intervene and end the fight in the Puerto Rican’s favor.
Spomer makes his American debut under Roy Jones Jr.
It was the 32-year-old from Heilbronn’s first appearance on US soil after joining Roy Jones Jr.’s training school. Spomer made a name for himself with a surprising knockout victory over Milan Prat 18 months ago in Oberhausen and had since teamed up with Legacy Boxing.
Zayas on course for the title – Fundora as the next target?
With this victory, Zayas consolidates his position as one of the top contenders in the super welterweight division. He is currently ranked 3rd in the WBC world rankings and even 1st in the WBO rankings. The current WBC and WBO world champion, American southpaw Sebastian Fundora, will defend his titles on March 22nd in the Michelob Arena in Las Vegas against compatriot Chordale Brooker. Zayas could therefore soon be given a world title opportunity.
The spectacular victory in New York underlines the up-and-coming talent’s potential and brings him one step closer to the top of the weight class.