Xander Zayas and Patrick Teixeira are set to face off in a highly anticipated junior middleweight bout at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Zayas, with an impressive record of 18-0 and 12 knockouts, is looking to prove himself against the more experienced Teixeira, who holds a record of 34-4 with 25 knockouts. Promoter Bob Arum is banking on Zayas’ success in this fight to propel him into stardom, particularly in the New York area.
The upcoming match on Saturday night will serve as a crucial test for Zayas to determine whether he is ready to be matched against tougher opponents in the future. With the start time of the main card scheduled for 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT, boxing fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Zayas will perform under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Featherweight Bruce Carrington will also be in action, facing off against Brayan De Gracia in a ten-round chief support fight.
Fight Card Details
The main card on ESPN will feature Zayas against Teixeira in the main event, with both fighters weighing in at 153.4 pounds. In the chief support fight, Carrington and De Gracia will battle it out at 125.4 pounds each. Additionally, the preliminary card on ESPN+ will showcase exciting matchups such as Tiger Johnson vs. Tarik Zaina, Andy Dominguez vs. Cristopher Rios, Jahi Tucker vs. Quincy LaVallais, Ofacio Falcon vs. Antonio Dunton El Jr., Ali Feliz vs. Lemir Isom-Riley, and Nisa Rodriguez vs. Jordanne Garcia.
Bob Arum expressed his confidence in Zayas’ potential, referring to him as the “future of boxing in Puerto Rico.” He emphasized the importance of this showcase fight against Teixeira, recognizing the significance of a victory for Zayas’ future in the sport. Arum also highlighted the strategic grooming of Puerto Rican fighters, particularly leading up to events like the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York. Additionally, Arum praised Carrington for his charisma and potential in the sport, showcasing his belief in the young boxer’s abilities.
The Zayas vs. Teixeira showdown promises to be a thrilling battle between two skilled fighters with contrasting styles. With the hopes of turning Zayas into a boxing star and showcasing the talents of Carrington, this event at Madison Square Garden is poised to captivate boxing fans and elevate the careers of these rising talents in the sport.