On Saturday night in New York City, Xander Zayas, a 22-year-old rising star from Puerto Rico, etched his name in boxing history by becoming the youngest current world champion. Zayas captured the vacant WBO junior middleweight title with a commanding decision win over Jorge Garcia Perez at the iconic Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Dominance from the Start

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) showcased his technical prowess and ring intelligence from the opening bell. Utilizing elusive footwork and precise counterpunching, he effectively neutralized Garcia Perez's aggressive but unorthodox offense. As the fight progressed, Zayas maintained optimal distance, frustrating his opponent and landing clean shots.

Key Moments in the Fight

In the sixth round, Zayas delivered a powerful right hand that sent Garcia Perez (33-4, 26 KOs) stumbling into the ropes. Despite regaining his footing, Garcia Perez struggled to mount a significant offense against Zayas, who continued to dominate with a high volume of accurate punches.

CompuBox Punch Stats

According to CompuBox, Zayas outclassed Garcia Perez in nearly every statistical category:

• Total Punches Landed: 199 (38.1%) vs. 130 (21.6%)
• Jabs Landed: 76 (30.9%) vs. 26 (15%)
• Power Punches Landed: 123 (44.6%) vs. 104 (24.2%)

A Proud Moment for Puerto Rico

"It's amazing to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level and to just put the pride of my island where it belongs -- at the top," said Zayas, who is the latest Puerto Rican fighter to claim the junior middleweight world championship.

Co-Main Event: Bruce Carrington's Victory

In the co-main event, Bruce 'Shu Shu' Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) secured the vacant WBC interim featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Mateus Heita (14-1). Carrington, a heavy favorite, dominated the later rounds with precise combinations and defensive mastery.

Undercard Highlights

Emilianio Vargas, son of former light middleweight champion Fernando Vargas, continued his undefeated streak with a stunning 42-second knockout of Alexander Espinoza. This marked Vargas' sixth consecutive knockout and the 13th of his career.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Zayas solidifies his position as one of boxing's brightest young talents. His performance at Madison Square Garden not only earned him the WBO title but also set the stage for future blockbuster fights in the junior middleweight division.