Xander Zayas, already a unified super welterweight champion, just scored a major assist outside the ring. Fresh off defending his WBA and WBO titles, the 23-year-old boxer joined Bad Bunny's electrifying Super Bowl halftime show, catapulting his profile to new heights. Now, with the world watching, Zayas is chasing his dream of becoming the undisputed king at 154 pounds.
Quick Stats
- Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou on January 31 to unify WBA and WBO super welterweight titles.
- Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was watched by over 128.2 million viewers.
- Zayas signed a marketing deal with Bad Bunny's Rimas Sports in September.
- Zayas' fight with Baraou is expected to exceed $1 million in gate receipts.
From the Ring to the Halftime Stage
Zayas' week went from dominating in the ring to sharing the stage with a global icon. He described the Super Bowl atmosphere as electric, noting the energy from the cast, dancers, and even Bad Bunny himself.
"Man, the day of [the Super Bowl] was a very big energy," Zayas said on Uncrowned's "The Boys in the Back" show. "Everybody was just so amped up when we got there and were setting up... You could tell it was just an amazing atmosphere." He also got to meet stars like J Balvin, Ronald Acuña, and Lady Gaga, who already knew his name [4].
The halftime show, which celebrated Latino culture, featured recreations of Puerto Rican neighborhoods and even a real couple getting married onstage [1, 2]. Zayas, alongside fellow boxer Emiliano Vargas, added to the authenticity of the performance [3].
Chasing Undisputed Glory
Zayas isn't just basking in the Super Bowl spotlight; he's hungry for more belts. He currently holds two of the four major super welterweight titles and has his sights set on the IBF title held by Josh Kelly.
"What I do know is that [Top Rank has] already made a call to Matchroom [Kelly's promoter] and team Josh Kelly because that’s who I want to face next," Zayas said. He aims to collect a third belt, with Sebastian Fundora, the WBC titlist, in his sights after that.
He envisions a neutral location in the United States for the potential fight against Kelly, given his Puerto Rican background and Kelly's English roots. Kelly, however, has expressed interest in fighting at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England.
By The Numbers
- 128.2 Million: Viewers who watched Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, exposing Zayas to a massive audience.
- $1 Million: Expected gate receipts for Zayas' unification bout with Baraou, demonstrating his growing popularity in Puerto Rico.
- 2: The number of super welterweight titles (WBA and WBO) currently held by Zayas.
- 23: Zayas' age, making him the youngest unified male world champion in boxing.
What's Next
The boxing world is waiting to see if Zayas can secure a fight with Josh Kelly. Securing that fight would be a major step towards his goal of becoming the undisputed super welterweight champion. Kelly's promoter also represents top contender Jaron "Boots" Ennis, adding another potential future matchup.
The Super Bowl appearance has undoubtedly amplified Zayas' visibility. He now needs to capitalize on this momentum to secure high-profile fights and cement his legacy in the sport. He and his team at Rimas Sports will be working to make this happen.
