Xander Zayas wins WBO super welter belt – Carrington convinces in co-main event, Vargas shines with lightning knockout.
Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 knockouts) fulfilled his dream and was crowned the new WBO super welterweight world champion last night in the “Theater” of the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 21-year-old shooting star from Puerto Rico beat the experienced Mexican Jorge Garcia (33-5, 26 knockouts) unanimously on points in a technically strong fight.
The judges scored the fight clearly in favor of Zayas: 116-112, 118-110 and 119-109.
“Boxing 101, I had to box my way to victory,” explained Zayas in the ring interview after the fight. “I knew that if I stayed in front of him for too long, I would play his game. So I set everything up behind the jab – that was the key to victory. And we showed that it works.”
Visibly moved, he continued: “This is a dream come true. It’s wonderful. To see my Puerto Rican fans here tonight – it’s just incredible. I couldn’t have imagined it any better.”
Carrington secures WBC interim featherweight title
In the co-main event of the evening, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (16-0, 9 knockouts) impressed with a superior performance. Against the previously unbeaten Namibian Mateus Heita (14-1, 9 knockouts), the New Yorker dominated the fight over the full twelve rounds and secured the WBC interim featherweight title.
The scorecards spoke a clear language: 119-109 (twice) and 120-108. Carrington’s ring intelligence, footwork and precision made the difference on this evening.
Emiliano Vargas delivers a spectacular knockout.
Emiliano Fernando Vargas (15-0, 13 knockouts), son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, made a clear statement early on the undercard. The 21-year-old light-welterweight gave Ecuadorian Alexander Espinoza (20-4-1, 9 knockouts) no chance and ended the fight with a brutal knockout in the first round – a highlight for any highlight reel.
With this performance, Vargas underlined his ambition to soon be at the top himself.