Xander Zayas

[Ruthless-RKO]

Xander Zayas, born in Puerto Rico and fighting for USA Boxing as one of the world’s top amateurs, has signed a multi-year professional contract with Top Rank.

At only 16 years old, Zayas is the youngest fighter ever to sign a pro contract with Top Rank. An 11-time Puerto Rican and U.S. national champion, Zayas will make his pro debut as a welterweight in September.

Zayas, who is currently 118-14 in the unpaid ranks, will represent Team USA next month at the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament in Botevgard, Bulgaria.



“Xander Zayas is a tremendous young fighter who is mature beyond his years,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He has everything it takes to one day become an international boxing superstar.”

"Growing up watching my idol, Miguel Cotto, it has always been a dream of mine to fight for Top Rank, and today that dream has come true,” Zayas said. “Although I am 16 years old, I have been boxing since I was 5 years old, and I understand the magnitude of what it means to be promoted by the best promotional company in the world. I know I have a long road ahead and will remain focused and hungry while I work hard every day to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a world champion. It was a surreal experience to meet with Bob Arum, as he provided me with his wisdom and advice as I begin my career. It was a humbling experience, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity."

"Xander is a special fighter. He is wise beyond his years and understands what it means to be a part of Top Rank as he embarks on his professional career as the youngest fighter to ever be signed by the company,” said Peter Kahn, Zayas’ manager. “We have a strong team to support him inside and outside of the ring as he matures. Xander has all of the tools to be a world champion, and now it's up to him to go to work and begin his journey as a professional fighter.”

Zayas was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Plantation, Florida, at 11 years of age. A high school junior who will graduate in 2020, Zayas won gold at the 2017 and 2018 National Championships and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Boxer in 2018. He elected to turn pro, in part, because he would’ve been too young to participate at the 2020 Olympics.

Zayas will prepare for his pro debut with head trainer Javiel Centeno at Centeno’s Sweatbox Boxing & Fitness in Davie, Florida.

Said Centeno: "I knew that Xander was something special from the first day he walked into the gym. Besides the boxing abilities at such a young age, he had the charisma, work ethic and maturity of a world-class athlete. I was reminded that he made a promise to me early on that he will be the the first champion I developed from the beginning, and now with by far the greatest promotional engine in the sport of boxing behind us, I see us taking that first step in making his words become reality in the near future.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

XANDER ZAYAS SIGNS MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION WITH TOP RANK

Xander Zayas and Top Rank will be together for the foreseeable future.

Top Rank announced on Monday that it has agreed to a multi-year extension with Zayas. The WBA and WBO 154-pound champion first signed with Top Rank at 16 years old, making him the youngest fighter the promotional company has ever signed.

“I'm blessed to continue representing Puerto Rico at the highest level of the sport with Top Rank,” Zayas said. “Thank you for all these years and for giving me the opportunity to grow and bring glory to my country and family. Now it's time to keep collecting victories and championships for many more years with the Top Rank family.”

Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has rapidly gone from ascending contender to the youngest unified champion in boxing. He won the then-vacant WBO 154-pound title with a unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia Perez in July 2025. Zayas, 23, went straight into a unification clash and beat Abass Baraou by split decision on Jan. 31 in Puerto Rico to win the WBA title.

Zayas, The Ring’s No. 3-ranked junior middleweight, will defend his titles against former unified welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs) on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on DAZN PPV and as part of the DAZN ultimate plan.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Xander Zayas and Top Rank agree ‘multi-year’ promotional deal

Xander Zayas has signed a “multi-year” contract extension with Top Rank.

The WBO and WBA junior-middleweight champion defends his titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis in his biggest contest to date on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and will be committed to his promoter regardless of the outcome.

It was in January when he became unified champion by defeating Germany’s Abass Baraou. Top Rank later agreed a broadcast deal with DAZN; there is little question that he is integral to both Top Rank’s and DAZN’s plans.

“I’m blessed to continue representing Puerto Rico at the highest level of the sport with Top Rank,” said Zayas, 23. “Thank you for all these years and for giving me the opportunity to grow and bring glory to my country and family. Now it’s time to keep collecting victories and championships for many more years with the Top Rank family.”

“We signed Xander at 16 and have watched him grow from a gifted teenager into a unified world champion,” said Top Rank’s Todd duBoef. “He won his first world title at 22, unified in his first defence, and is now preparing for the biggest fight of his career thus far. This successful partnership has grown his profile throughout the sports world and reinforces our confidence in Xander’s future.”

“Xander’s path is a testament to Top Rank’s ability to develop talent the right way,” said Peter Kahn, Zayas’ manager. “We signed with them when he was just 16, and they’ve done a great job guiding him into a unified world champion.

“They also understand the Latino audience better than any promoter in boxing. Extending this partnership was the right strategic move as we now focus on more unifications, multiple divisions, global events, and defining Xander as one of the faces of the sport while building a lasting legacy at the highest level.”