World Championship rivals Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas faced each other for the first time at a press conference before their unification fight in January – and yet they have known each other for a long time.
Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 knockouts), WBO light middleweight champion, had asked for a world championship fight in his native Puerto Rico. He will get it – on January 31 at the “Coliseo de Puerto Rico” in San Juan. The Top Rank fighter will then face the German WBA world champion Abass Baraou.
“The greatest evening of my life”
Unusual: Zayas and Baraou know each other very well, having recently sparred dozens of rounds together in South Florida. Now the two rivals met again on Wednesday at the opening press conference in San Juan (Puerto Rico) as newly crowned world champions. Baraou defeated Yoenis Tellez in August to become WBA interim champion.
“It’s an honor to represent my home, my people and Puerto Rico and put the pride of the island where it belongs: at the top,” Xander Zayas said. “January 31st will be the biggest night of my life, but (the win over Garcia) was very special. You only become world champion for the first time once and that was my moment.”
The 23-year-old WBO champ said of his earlier sparring with Baraou: “Sparring is sparring, and you shouldn’t confuse it with a fight. It’s something completely different. There is something completely different at stake for both of us, but I have respect for Abass and his team. They were always friendly to us and willing to help us when we needed it – we did the same in reverse. Our first title defense, with a unification at stake, is something very special for me. We are going to make history.”
“I am on a mission”
Abass Baraou first looks back on his title win against Tellez. “That was a special fight for me. I knew I was entering hostile territory. I just had to give it my all – and a bit more – to beat Tellez. I’m on a mission and ready to go anywhere to achieve my dream, my goals.”
On sparring with Zayas, the WBA champion from Oberhausen said: “Sparring is different to fighting. It can help, but it doesn’t have to. We’ll find out on fight night. Xander is a great talent. I respect him for taking this fight. We said we would meet at the top – and we didn’t know it would happen so quickly.”
The upcoming unification fight is a big challenge for Baraou, which he is happy to accept. “The fact that I have to travel to Puerto Rico is additional motivation for me,” said the 31-year-old. “I’m well prepared for it and can hardly wait for the fight night.”
Text: Frank Schwantes