Baraou is traveling to San Juan as WBA world champion and wants to take the WBO belt from Zayas. He says the noise from the fans won’t change his plan.
Abass Baraou is facing the biggest fight of his professional career. The WBA World Half-Middleweight Champion will face Xander Zayas on Saturday, January 31. Zayas holds the WBO belt. Both titles are up for grabs in San Juan. The venue suits the task. In the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Baraou will be boxing in his opponent’s home stadium. The 31-year-old does not expect the backdrop to give Zayas a bonus. He is relying on adaptation and routine.
Baraou makes no secret of his plan. He says: “I haven’t shown what I’m really made of yet.” He emphasizes his variability: “If I have to box technically, I can do that.” Mostly, however, he wants to wear down opponents. This is exactly where he sees his advantage. He declares offense to be the key. “Going forward suits me,” says Baraou. And he continues: “I’ve never seen anyone who can withstand my pressure.” He wants to prove on fight night that he can also pull this off in Puerto Rico.
Two champions, two paths
Baraou was born in Germany and has Togolese roots. He turned professional in 2018 and boxed mainly in Europe for a long time. In August, he set an exclamation mark in Orlando when he defeated Yoenis Tellez on points, scoring a knockdown late on. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to full WBA champion because Terence Crawford vacated the title.
Zayas has an impeccable record. The 22-year-old signs with Top Rank early on and becomes world champion shortly before his 23rd birthday. He wins the WBO title on points against Jorge Garcia in July. Now he leads only the second unification fight for world titles on Puerto Rican soil.
Baraou knows Zayas from the gym. “We sparred a few times,” he says. He praises his footwork and skills, but sticks to his goal: “I’m going to Puerto Rico to become unified world champion.” He assesses the place soberly: “There’s one man I have to beat.”
Text by Robin Josten