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SportsTranscript
00:00Let me remind you to keep it clean, protect yourself at all times, a better micromanager at all times.
00:05Go ahead, go Baylor Godless here.
00:07Brandon, go Baylor Godless with him.
00:09Good luck.
00:09Touch those.
00:10Joe Tessitore, Tim Bradley on the call.
00:12Bernardo Osuna, our ringside reporter.
00:14Mark Kriegel will be scoring.
00:16And Timmy, just listen to the crowd here in New York because that Puerto Rico versus Mexico rivalry, it hits.
00:24Absolutely.
00:24Xander Zayas has got to be who he is and has always been throughout his career tonight.
00:31We are underway for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world championship.
00:41That's what's going to get the job done tonight for Xander Zayas.
00:45He usually is the fast starter, got quick hands.
00:48He let those combinations fly.
00:49He's been on a stretch of statistical superlatives since the beginning of December 22, outlanding his opponents in 50 consecutive rounds.
01:03So what you're seeing from Garcia right now, you're seeing a savvy veteran.
01:07Been in the game of an extreme long time.
01:09The left hook right there changed levels.
01:11He's looking for big shots at the moment.
01:13Well, he was right there with the right hand as he fell in.
01:15There's a good jab from Xander Zayas.
01:18And then level changes it right to the belt line.
01:24But you can see he's cunning.
01:25But you see how he gets himself in that position.
01:27He'll sit there and just wait on his opportunities.
01:30He won't get spooked by the offense coming from Xander.
01:33Xander's not a huge puncher.
01:36But he will sneak in round shots like that around your guard as you're swinging.
01:42And he can catch Xander.
01:43Xander's not a huge puncher.
01:53Combination that left hand straight a little low.
01:57Eric Dolly is our referee.
01:59There wasn't a warning there to Xander Zayas.
02:02For Eric, it's his sixth world title fight that he has officiated.
02:06Another low right there from Xander.
02:17Oh!
02:19Big shot over the top.
02:20Over the top with the right hand.
02:22Again, just dunking his head down and swinging over the top.
02:27Xander, he likes to operate at mid-range.
02:29Because he's a counter puncher.
02:30He likes to counter.
02:32So, there's opportunities for Garcia to land shots like that.
02:36Especially if he doesn't pay attention to defense after his offense.
02:39Garcia, right now, he looks vulnerable, right?
02:49Looks out of position.
02:52But then he comes and explodes with offense like that.
02:54Xander's going to have to just...
02:55He's going to have to anticipate that offense coming back at odd moments.
03:0026 knockouts and 33 wins for Garcia.
03:04Very crafty in there, Tess.
03:06Ooh, good body shot.
03:08Right hand to the body and you can hear it.
03:13Good competitive first round.
03:15And Xander's eyes are wide open, Tess.
03:18Wide open.
03:19He's seeing these shots coming.
03:22Good fink right there from Xander.
03:26Good opening round for the title.
03:28Oh, this is good.
03:30Good opening round for the title.
04:00Good opening round for the title.
04:02Good opening round for the title.
04:03Good opening round for the title.
04:04Good opening round for the title.
04:05Good opening round for the title.
04:06Good opening round for the title.
04:07Good opening round for the title.
04:08Good opening round for the title.
04:09Good opening round for the title.
04:10Good opening round for the title.
04:11Good opening round for the title.
04:12Good opening round for the title.
04:13Good opening round for the title.
04:14Good opening round for the title.
04:15Good opening round for the title.
04:16Good opening round for the title.
04:17Good opening round for the title.
04:18Good opening round for the title.
04:19Good opening round for the title.
04:20Good opening round for the title.
04:21Good opening round for the title.
04:22Good opening round for the title.
04:23Good opening round for the title.
04:24Good opening round for the title.
04:25Highly competitive first round we just watched between Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia.
04:36I want to go back to the right hand, Timmy, that Garcia landed.
04:40Yeah, this is the awkwardness I'm talking about.
04:41Look, he's chilling up.
04:42He drops levels right there and right over the top as Xander is getting ready to deploy
04:47a left hook.
04:48Perfectly timed.
04:49Look, Xander came in this fight.
04:51He was warmed up.
04:52I saw some sweat on his back before the fight even got started.
04:55That's a good thing because a shot like that, if he would have came out cold, he probably
04:59would have got knocked out.
05:00Xander throwing that left hook as he was packing up and able to land it moments ago.
05:04You know, Mark Riegel made the point that Garcia needs to fight like he's from Los Moches in
05:09this time of fight.
05:10Remember, that's the hometown of the former three-division world champion Fernando Montiel.
05:14Jorge Arce was from there.
05:16Two-division world champion Humberto Soto was from there.
05:19It just seems like, based on the pace and energy, we're going to have that fiery, gritty
05:25kind of night between these two.
05:27The great rivalry, of course, in the sport, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
05:32Yeah, for Garcia, it's about disrupting the technical abilities of Xander's eyes.
05:36Okay?
05:36Being off rhythm, off tempo, off beat, attacking him when he least expected.
05:40Moments like that, Xander did a good job of recognizing that attack, and he stepped in
05:45and smothered and tied up Garcia.
05:49But out at that range right there, Xander's going to prosper.
05:54He's going to do his thing out at that range.
05:56He's a lot better from the outside than Garcia is.
06:01And there he is, showing it, firing off that jab, and then the right hand to the body.
06:06Yes.
06:06And that jab again, and doubles it up.
06:08That's the range where Xander's eyes can have a lot of success tonight.
06:12And now he just has to anticipate, now, the rush, the sneak attack, as you see here.
06:19And a good tie-up right there from Xander's eyes.
06:26Oh, nice change-up.
06:28Good surprise right there from Garcia.
06:30A jab, and then just sweeping around with the left hook.
06:33Can see just a little bit of redness on the left side of the face of Garcia,
06:39right where that right hand was landed by Zayas.
06:44Oh, and he does it again with the left hand, does Garcia.
06:47It's another good action-packed round here.
06:49Oh, we're going to be in the fight, man.
06:51I'm serious.
06:51The distance, later, if this gets to the later rounds,
06:54Tenson's going to be very interesting.
06:56Battle of attrition, I'm talking about.
06:58Oh, good right hand.
07:13Oh, that change-up.
07:14Oh, and you hear the roar from the Puerto Rican, New York fans.
07:20And the defensive prowess right there from Xander's eyes.
07:23Yes, we got them.
07:24Beautiful work this round.
07:25Love this end.
07:26Oh, we got a good one here tonight.
07:29End of two.
07:32Good round right there from Xander's eyes.
08:25Great crowd packing Madison Square Garden Theater as Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia six minutes in and it's already roaring here. Let's go back to round number two. His right hand comes in from Garcia with the work from Zayas.
08:50Yeah, fish always take the bait, but he forgets about the hook in the right hand right there. Xander Zayas coming around that guard. As you see Garcia blowing up the shots, leaving himself wide open.
09:04Man, intensity right from the start of round number three as well.
09:07Because Garcia don't like the way the momentum is carrying in Xander's favor right now. He don't like that. So he's trying to get some good back. Beautiful right hand right there from Garcia.
09:17Bernardo, what were they saying in Zayas' corner?
09:21Javier Centeno wants Xander to stay on the jab because that's the range he can be best at. And he says not all the punches have to be hard. And he wants him to frustrate him with his feet.
09:31Yes. Centeno, the long-time trainer of Xander Zayas. Remember the backstory between these two. Xander Zayas, who moved from San Juan to South Florida when he was a boy at 11 years old, went into the gym of Hariel.
09:48They've been together ever since. So the architect can now see the building come to fruition as a world champion, possibly tonight at 22 years old.
09:56Garcia may very well lose these early rounds. However, late, that's when he comes on. When he starts to feel you, start to tire, get a little bit fatigued. That's when he comes on strong.
10:10And things can get real interesting on the back end of this fight test. Promise you.
10:14Target practice right now for Xander Zayas. He's picking and choosing when he let his combinations go. Particularly the left hook. Left hook happy. Garcia has a left hook as well.
10:32Good technical ability stuff right there. Just have a control right there of Garcia with the lead hand, using the jab, and also using it as a physical control to control Garcia.
10:48Not allowing him to get close.
10:54Oh, yeah. Garcia don't have good feet. Xander understands it now.
10:59And you're seeing the speed and the footwork of Zayas as well. Getting out of, getting in and out. Getting out of harm's way.
11:06As you can see, Garcia trying to chase it down. Did Linn. A left hand to the body in that mix. But Zayas right back to the center of the ring.
11:16Awkward approach by Garcia. It has been a Xander Zayas round to this point.
11:23Xander Raza, but at this point he on fire, Tess. He fired on all cylinders right now.
11:29Good exit.
11:37And thrilled to tell you that we are commercial free from this point forward for the remainder of this championship battle.
11:46The jabs of Xander Zayas, Timmy. Take us through it.
11:52Oh, yeah. It's just rough timing as well.
11:55You know, Xander Zayas getting off to a quick start.
11:57Right there, he got to stay on that jab all night long.
12:01That's keeping Garcia at bay.
12:03That's popping that head up.
12:04And that's going to set up power shots for him down the line.
12:12And this is the defensive prowess right here.
12:19From Xander Zayas. This is what I mean.
12:21Firing on all cylinders.
12:23Stand close. Stand to that lead shoulder right there.
12:26The back shoulder.
12:27Exiting right.
12:28Getting underneath all those punches.
12:30Nothing landed in that sequence right there.
12:32At all.
12:34Good work for Xander Zayas.
12:35And as he continues to do that, guess what?
12:42He's going to wear down Garcia, wear him down even more.
12:45Takes a lot of energy out of a fighter when he misses a punch.
12:50Remember, this is Xander Zayas' first 12-round fight.
12:53Of course, his first chance at a major world title.
12:55And in the corner of Xander Zayas moments ago,
12:58Javier Cetano reminded him,
13:00we don't have to accomplish everything right now.
13:03So they're trying to get him in his head to manage and be judicious.
13:07And think about this being a very veteran tough opponent
13:10who's going to be there every step of the way.
13:15Bernardo.
13:16I just spoke with Pedro Montiel and he told me,
13:19what I want out of Jorge Garcia is to get on the inside.
13:23And once Xander starts clinching,
13:25I need him to throw shots over his hands
13:28because that'll get him to stop clinching.
13:29First, he's got to get to the inside.
13:35Xander's not allowing that.
13:36You see Xander right now, he's just dictating the range right now
13:39where the fight was with me fault.
13:41And it's outside right now.
13:43And any time he steps in and lunges forward,
13:45Garcia, he gets clipped with a left hook.
13:47And the position changed.
13:49And then Xander's right back where he wants to be.
13:51It's easy work right now for Xander.
13:54You see at that range, working behind that jab,
13:57you saw the lead long right hand moments ago.
14:01But why get into that kitchen if you don't need to
14:04and you're winning the fight, staying at range?
14:13Good shot.
14:14Good angles right there for Xander.
14:15Yeah, that great angle to the left
14:17and then centered himself to go down the alley with the right hand.
14:20But I like the pace of what Xander is fighting
14:23because, you know, he can sit back and just wait and counterpunch,
14:27but he's creating as well.
14:28And he's taking advantage of small little moments
14:31where he sees Garcia not set to punch.
14:35Smart, smart from Xander's eyes.
14:40See, like right now, he's sitting up.
14:42He's trying to lure him in.
14:43And Xander right there just using that lead hand.
14:45Closest thing to him.
14:50And a nice tie-up.
15:00And again, stopping the momentum of Garcia.
15:02Right now, Garcia, what he needs to do is he needs to just focus on that body.
15:06I understand what his trainer is saying,
15:08but he needs to come behind a strong jab,
15:12close that distance, and start banging to the body.
15:19Good hook.
15:21Lead hook.
15:21That's Lacey falling in, though, afterwards with the right hand.
15:27Final moments here of round number four.
15:32Oh, there's a right hand by Xander.
15:35There we go.
15:35And then he backs him up to the ropes.
15:39As the fans here rise up at MSG.
15:42Look, those jabs to that arm is perfect, right?
16:07Every once in a while, change that jab to that right hand and throw that left hook up top, okay?
16:11So right hand to that shoulder, right hand to that bicep.
16:14Come on.
16:23Blocked right there from Garcia.
16:28Might have looked like he was doing work.
16:29All that stuff blocked by Garcia.
16:33But in that case, it's one of those scenarios where you're punching through the opponent's glove
16:37in a way when you see the head snap by Garcia.
16:40And that means the effectiveness of that punch, yes, the judges are looking at that, too.
16:48Remembering that Bivol better be a fight.
16:53We're through four rounds complete.
16:55That gives us the opportunity to check in with Mark Riegel, who's scoring it.
16:59Four rounds, nothing, 40, 30, 6.
17:04Xander Zaya's most important punch in boxing with a jab.
17:08And Xander's been beautiful tonight.
17:11He told me Garcia would bring out his best self to this point he has.
17:15He's thrown nearly 100 jabs.
17:18He's landed 28 of them.
17:22Stop! Stop!
17:24Let him out, let him out, let him out.
17:25Yeah, Garcia can't get into stride at all.
17:32He can't find his rhythm or timing of Xander.
17:35And he can't find his timing of his own either.
17:38Oh, he hurt.
17:39He got buzzed with that shot momentarily.
17:41You know, his face never changes, so you can never tell.
17:43Right.
17:44But right there, he's just low movement with his backhand.
17:46I didn't really like that movement.
17:48It's like something hurt from Garcia.
18:01So when you can't land on your opposition test, it's hard to get in some sort of rhythm.
18:05You know, in consistency, which will work.
18:10And you see Xander is in full flay.
18:13He's in rhythm.
18:14He's in stride.
18:15He knows exactly every movement that he's making is perfect at the moment.
18:20So focused and dialed in tonight.
18:23Starting to see the puffiness now, building around the eyes of Garcia.
18:42Easy, let him out.
18:43Good job.
18:44Two punch combinations.
18:52That right hand went straight down the middle.
18:54He hurt him with that right hand to the body, too.
18:57Oh, yeah.
18:59Momentarily paralyzing for a second.
19:02Right in the solar plexus, the right hand.
19:05Oh, big right hand.
19:06Leading right hand from Garcia.
19:09He needs to string more of that together.
19:11Zayas returns fire immediately.
19:13Now center of the ring.
19:16The body is the key for Zayas.
19:18I'm telling you right now, Zayas needs to focus on that body.
19:22He focused on that body.
19:23I think he can make Garcia quit.
19:31Those punches ain't snapping like they were earlier on.
19:34That energy level has dropped.
19:35He's fat and he's falling in with them.
19:37He is clearly impacted by the work that Zayas has been doing.
19:44I see how this level changing right here.
20:06Beautiful level changing feint right there from Zander Zayas.
20:10The combinations we talked about gave him that level change right there.
20:14Gave him some bait.
20:15He took the bait and he came up with the combinations here.
20:18The right hand is Zander pulling back, looking for that same punch.
20:22That left hook as he's pulling straight back.
20:24Lined up perfectly for the right hand of Garcia.
20:29We need more of that from Garcia if he's going to get himself back into this fight.
20:32Six rounds for the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship.
20:57Through five, Zander Zayas with an 85-47 connect advantage.
21:02Timmy, you've keyed in on the body attack of Zayas, saying that is the key.
21:07He has landed 33 body punches.
21:11Little slip of the signage right there from Zander.
21:18Oh, another right hand.
21:19Zander moving out in straight lines.
21:21Getting clipped with that right hand.
21:23You've got to understand.
21:24Oh, big right hand right there from Zander.
21:27They traded right hands.
21:29Bernardo's been listening in to the corner of Zander's eyes.
21:31What can you tell us?
21:33Javier Centeno says, I want him to keep touching the body.
21:36Don't hook with him.
21:37Keep your shots straight.
21:39And when he throws that hook, go underneath it.
21:41Good defense right here from Zander using his reflexes, using those eyes.
21:51A lot of times it's all about just positioning your eyes and seeing those shots constantly every single day in the gym.
22:00You know, so you're anticipating it.
22:02It's not like you're thinking when you see it.
22:04No, it's just your movements and your rhythm is second nature.
22:07Exactly.
22:08Making those shots.
22:09Miss.
22:10Again from range.
22:11The right hand comes in.
22:12Then he digs with the left hand to the body.
22:14Oh, big right hand right there.
22:16And Garcia comes on the attack on the inside.
22:20Stop, stop, stop, stop.
22:21Stop holding.
22:21Eric Daly encouraging them to work on the inside.
22:24Now some separation.
22:26There's a right hand that came straight in from Zayas.
22:31Boy, Garcia's awkward at this moment.
22:33He's awkward, he's swinging, and he's trying to win, Tess, by any means.
22:38I love the effort, Tess.
22:44Oh.
22:46Stop.
22:47Let him out, please.
22:47Let him out.
22:48And I'll tell you this, Tess, his fight is far from being over.
22:51This is just a six-round.
22:52Garcia is a 12-round fighter.
22:54He has experience.
22:57And again, if he can get some momentum going in his favor, man,
23:01when he starts going downhill, he'll have to start having more success.
23:05Remember, he's coming off a 12-round split decision win
23:07against the previously undefeated U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell.
23:11Oh, they traded hooks right there.
23:13And he's reflecting on that a good bit,
23:14saying nobody thought he was going to win that fight.
23:17And obviously, in a spot like this,
23:20coming off that win a little more evenly contested.
23:23Big right hand from Zayas.
23:25Best punch he's landed so far tonight
23:27that sends Garcia off balance.
23:30By instinct, Garcia comes back fighting off the ropes.
23:33Let's go, let's go, let's go.
23:34Holding out to that right hand for a moment.
23:36Tess, these men right now are learning on the job,
23:38learning how to win a championship.
23:40You see the heart, the determination.
23:42This is what I'm talking about right here.
23:45They want to win this fight, both of them.
23:49They putting it all on their line for us tonight.
23:52Time!
23:53So we have reached the halfway mark of our world title fight
24:06as Timmy, take us through what has stood out to you so far.
24:09Oh yeah, it's been all Xander Zayas.
24:11Again, controlling range on the outside,
24:13being slippery with his defense,
24:16getting active with his jab,
24:17going downstairs, attacking the body.
24:19Yes, he took some on the chin, but that's all right.
24:22He came back with his own.
24:23You know, coming again off that jab.
24:25It's all basic fundamentals.
24:27Again, that's what gets you to the elite level.
24:30You got to master those fundamentals.
24:32And as you can see, Garcia, he didn't do that at all.
24:36So he's lunging, reaching, you know,
24:38throwing wide with shots.
24:40And that's allowing Xander Zayas to pinpoint shots like that on the ear,
24:45sending them towards the ropes,
24:48lifting them up off the canvas with that shot.
24:50But again, let's give it up for Garcia.
24:53Great recuperative powers right there from him
24:56to get himself back going in this fight.
24:58But man, I can't wait to this, man,
25:00this second half is going to be something,
25:02even more people.
25:0544% of his power punches have landed.
25:08The biggest coming in that last round,
25:10that right hand flush to the side,
25:11head right to the ear that sends him into the ropes.
25:13The corner of Xander Zayas has implored him
25:16to fight his fight, to find his flow,
25:19to not fall into the form of Garcia.
25:22So far, that has been the case for Xander Zayas.
25:26Looking good so far halfway through.
25:28His first major world title opportunity,
25:32just 22 years old.
25:35I don't know what the fans are booing for.
25:38Not sure what they booing about, but I do that.
25:40Ain't nothing to boo here.
25:42It's been a fast-paced fight.
25:48Meanwhile, Bernardo has reported in the corner of Garcia
25:50they want to see more combinations thrown,
25:53not just one punch at a time.
25:54to throw combinations against Zayas.
25:58You got to punch with Zayas.
26:00You got to punch with him,
26:01and he got to, again,
26:02he got to tighten up those hooks.
26:03He's coming out a bit too wide.
26:05Keep those shots straight,
26:07and he'll be able to land against Zayas.
26:09Don't do that with y'all.
26:10Don't do that.
26:11Yeah, they got to get a towel in there
26:19and wipe that ring.
26:22Yeah, that was a check hook.
26:24Check hook was successful from Zayas.
26:28There he is again.
26:29Again, right back to him,
26:30and doubles up the jab.
26:31What were you saying about the towel, Timmy?
26:35Yeah, the referee got to bring a towel in
26:37and wipe the center of the ring.
26:39They're both slipping and sliding right now.
26:41He did that in the last round.
26:43They have to do it again.
26:44Oh, yeah.
26:48Two-punch combination from Zayas.
26:51Oh, you see the reaction right there?
26:53Absolutely.
26:53That was something different.
26:54I know he's trying to sell that,
26:55but he was buzzed momentarily right there.
26:58Stop!
27:01Reminder, SportsCenter is coming your way
27:07at the conclusion of our World Championship.
27:09Another two-punch combination
27:10from Zander Zayas.
27:13Run him out, run him out.
27:14Run him out.
27:14Run him out.
27:14Run him out.
27:22Yeah, Zander looking good.
27:24He looking sweet right now.
27:25Absolutely is.
27:26The right opponent in front of him.
27:28Again, I said it doesn't get any better than this.
27:31His last three opponents have been guys
27:33that have come forward,
27:34and he's been able to tame them,
27:36and he's doing the same thing tonight
27:38against Garcia.
27:39Let him out clean.
27:39Let him out clean.
27:42Saw him in his last fight back on Valentine's Day
27:45against Slavos Spomer,
27:47who was trained by Roy Jones Jr., by the way,
27:50and was undefeated
27:52when he won by 9th round TKO.
27:56Time!
28:04Beautiful.
28:05Look.
28:06When he don't need to work,
28:08I want those people.
28:10That's it.
28:10Okay?
28:11Look, he's going to fall short on some of those.
28:13Everyone's going to want to exclusively come in on.
28:16Right?
28:16Give him that 2-up, too.
28:19We work on all the time, right?
28:20But come off from the right side.
28:21Hey, don't do it for the left side.
28:23He can always throw that up.
28:24Dominating round in the 7th round by Xander Zayas.
28:26A 29-connect advantage.
28:28Here's that check hook, Timmy.
28:29Oh, yeah.
28:30That was an outside slip counter right there.
28:32Just slipped outside that right hand.
28:35There it is.
28:36Again, now that right there was a nice little slip.
28:40Outside, combination, left hook, right hand.
28:43Again, just taking advantage of those.
28:45Again, the defense.
28:46The defense of Garcia.
28:48You got to have great defense in this sport.
28:51Or you'll get hit with shots like that over and over and over.
28:54Especially against someone that has technical ability like Xander Zayas.
29:00Xander's a technician.
29:01That's what he is.
29:02He said all week long,
29:07we really believe in what we will be able to do in this fight
29:11and our ability to execute.
29:15Round number 8.
29:23Good angle that he gives to open up this 8th round.
29:32Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.
29:37Xander's not allowing him to work at all.
29:40So Xander is moving, getting away, avoiding all those shots.
29:44And then once Garcia gets close, he just ties him up.
29:48Just before this main event,
29:49we listened into a conversation that Xander Zayas had sitting across with Mark Riegel.
29:53And he discussed how he thought it had a distinct advantage
29:57when it came to who could move better in this fight.
30:00That has absolutely showed up.
30:03Absolutely.
30:03Athleticism.
30:05That's a big part of boxing as well.
30:07And also talent, Tess.
30:08Talent.
30:12But again, Xander got to continue to do this over and over and over each round.
30:18Because Garcia's not going to stop trying.
30:25And it can be one punch, Tess, that can just uplift his spirit.
30:28Gives him a lot of energy.
30:30And, you know, and he starts pouring it on even more.
30:33And he starts to believe that he can win this fight.
30:35But as of right now, Xander right now, he's tamed him.
30:40He don't believe right now he can win.
30:42Stop.
30:48There it is.
31:09The straightest right hand he threw all night at a glance.
31:12Isn't that something?
31:13Isn't that something?
31:15And it was off the jab, Tess.
31:16Fundamentals are simple, but they work.
31:22Straight is great.
31:23Yeah, absolutely.
31:31And now putting punches together the way his corner wanted him to.
31:35He finally was able to cut off that angle and meet Xander.
31:39He got met by a right hand.
31:40Let's go, keep punching.
31:41Zayas just stopped and planted that right foot for a moment and let it go.
31:48Oh, check hook.
31:50Oh.
31:52Garcia on the attack.
31:53That left hook came in.
31:55And Zayas was framed up against the ropes.
31:58So, a moment of hope in round number eight for Jorge Garcia.
32:12Now, there's the guy, Emiliano Fernando Vargas, who wowed us all earlier tonight.
32:19He had the punch of the night, a first-round knockout against 20-win veteran Alexander Espinosa.
32:28Emiliano Fernando Vargas is now 15-0 with 13 knockouts.
32:34And there is Amanda Serrano.
32:38Talk about somebody who can put on a show and has done so right here in New York.
32:44Champ is in the building.
32:45Abdulla Mason, by many accounts, is the best young prospect in the sport.
32:5819-0, 17 knockouts.
33:01Timmy, you have been hyping him for years and he has delivered and more.
33:06He has electric and he's getting a shot at the world championship against a savvy veteran.
33:13And he's going to have his opportunity at a world championship a lot sooner than he expected.
33:21And listen, nothing can come soon enough for Abdulla Mason.
33:25He is that good.
33:28All right, Mark Kregel, how do you have this?
33:31I have it seven rounds to 1, 79-73.
33:35I gave Garcia the last round.
33:36Both guys fighting with great desire.
33:38The difference is, Zayas has technique it well for most of this fight.
33:43He stood right in front of Garcia.
33:45Not just made a miss, but make him whiff.
33:47I agree with that last round for Garcia being his best by far.
33:51He landed 13 power connects compared to Zayas' 11.
33:54Zayas, of course, was game incapable, but by far Garcia's best moments of the fight.
34:00Round number nine.
34:01Sebastian Fundoral had this WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship, had a vacated with a rematch
34:10with Tim Zou.
34:11Things were lined up for Zayas.
34:13Garcia came up with a huge win in his last fight.
34:16Zayas was in position.
34:17So now the vacant title up for grabs and to be decided here in these final four rounds.
34:23Garcia's doing his best to punch with Xander, but again, his foot placement and footwork
34:33is terrible.
34:34He's all over the place.
34:35Yeah, he's all over the place.
34:36Leap foot's in front.
34:37Leap foot's all of a sudden in back.
34:39He's squared up at times.
34:40Hands are low at times.
34:42And Xander's just quicker on the trigger.
34:46And he's catching him out of position, too.
34:52Squared up a lot.
34:53Look, he's running with shots right there at this.
34:56My goodness.
35:00Drop a hand, though.
35:01Let's go.
35:07So now Garcia, now he's taking off the power now.
35:11Now he's trying to use hand speed.
35:13He's trying to see if that's going to work against Xander.
35:16He just wants to touch him, try to pile on points.
35:18Again, Xander being at Matador, getting out of range real quickly, stepping back in range,
35:27tying up.
35:27He's doing everything right.
35:29And I think one of the most craziest things, Tess, is that it looks easy.
35:34Not only does it look easy, but I don't even see Xander really breathing hard at all.
35:39Seemingly not.
35:40And usually about this time, fatigue starts to set in.
35:49Let's go.
35:50All right, let's go.
35:52Step up.
35:57Garcia on the inside, able to land there.
35:59You know, listen, good things are going to happen if you're willing to throw your hands.
36:02That was the case with that four-punch combination.
36:13Hand of nine.
36:21When you're throwing your right hand, I don't want you dropping that left hand.
36:24You've got to keep that left hand hot, okay?
36:26You're getting caught up.
36:36Here's the work from Garcia in the midst of the end of that last round.
36:41Yeah, I mean, he's trying, Tess.
36:43He's trying to close that distance any way he can.
36:45He's bending down low.
36:47Perfectly timed uppercut right there as Xander.
36:50Again, dropping that opposite hand.
36:52Dropped his lead hand.
36:53He was looking for an uppercut himself.
36:54Trying to catch.
36:55Garcia on his way in as he leaned forward.
37:06You woke up finally.
37:08I know that he fucked this pace.
37:10He's got nothing for you.
37:12This pace is good for you.
37:13See, they were lifting the arms, trying to get some air into the chest.
37:21Yep.
37:22Lungs of Jorge Garcia as we've reached round number 10.
37:26What an opportunity for these men as Garcia, we told you, he landed 13 power punches in the eighth round.
37:32He landed 12 power punches in the ninth round.
37:35Xander's numbers haven't really fallen off.
37:37Xander's numbers haven't really fallen off.
37:39You see the power punches in the last round that we just mentioned.
37:41Body punches of 53 to 26 connect advantage for Zayas.
37:46And the reason why I know that Xander is not fatigued is that he's still sharp.
37:53It's the 10th round.
37:55He's still moving around like it's the first round.
37:57You know, he's still able to anticipate offense coming.
38:00He still, you know, has great defense and elusiveness to go along with.
38:04His punches are still sharp.
38:05That's how you look at the legs.
38:11Now, when he starts to get fatigued and the punches, the technique starts to go by the wayside, you know.
38:18He throws a jab, it's not as sharp.
38:21Left hooks become a little bit more wide.
38:23Right hand becomes a little bit more wide and slower.
38:29When you look at those punches thrown by rounds, just also keep in mind that Garcia's only landing 21 points.
38:3521% against the defense of Xander Zayas.
38:39Xander Zayas is landing 44% of his power punches.
38:54Xander's not trying not to allow Garcia to get in this fight right now.
38:57That's why he's using his legs and get out of range.
38:59He's trying not to let him get going.
39:00He understands that if he starts to go downhill and gain confidence,
39:03it could be problems for him in the next few rounds.
39:08So he's been a matador at this moment.
39:11But I would advise Xander, okay, because I see this all the time in football.
39:15I would advise him when they go in that prevent defense, right?
39:19Hey, keep doing what you was doing.
39:22Use that jab.
39:24Establish your jab.
39:25Establish control.
39:27Run him in the shots.
39:28Don't just move and allow him to build more confidence moving forward thinking that you're getting tired.
39:33And I would think Xander and his camp do have great reason to believe that they're in control of the scorecards up until we got to that 8th round.
39:42So I'll mark three of the 8th round to Garcia.
39:45That's justified.
39:45As would be giving him some credit for what he did in round number 9.
39:50But prior to that, it was all Zayas.
39:52Absolutely.
39:53And I always say you're a lot safer when you're closer to the opposition because you can tie him up like that and not allow him to work.
40:02Jan Zander is getting away from his jab.
40:10Needs to get back on that jab.
40:19Well, every time we talk about Zander Zayas, we always frame it through him being a prodigy, a guy who signed a pro contract at 16.
40:29These are the youngest active world champions right now.
40:34If you get stuck inside, get that head to the outside, grab him, turn him, walk him to the ropes.
40:39Don't sit there with him.
40:42His only opportunity is on the inside.
40:46That's his only opportunity.
40:48That's not giving to him.
40:49So you see that list of champions from 24 years old to 25 years old.
40:58Zander's 22.
41:01So if he wins tonight, he tops that list as the youngest active world champion in boxing.
41:07Don't let him hold on to you.
41:12Use that right hand.
41:14Yeah, they'll hold the arms up like that, just trying to get more air into the lungs, trying to expand that chest.
41:19They've been doing that since after the third round.
41:21Absolutely.
41:21Warning from Xander Zayas' corner as well as to be careful trading on the inside and to just be hyper aware as we're under six minutes to go to decide who is the WBO world champion, 154 pounds.
41:42Keep in mind, this is also the first 12-round fight for Xander Zayas.
41:47Shit, it don't look like it.
41:48Nope.
41:49It don't look like it.
41:55Counter right hand.
41:58See, and that's what I mean by you're safer inside because if you go outside and you allow Garcia to get momentum coming forward and he starts to build confidence and thinking that, again, you're fading.
42:10Oh, he's fading.
42:11He doesn't want to punch.
42:11He doesn't want to punch.
42:12Then it becomes a problem.
42:14But you stop him like that with that offense, right?
42:17And then when he gets close, you step in and you tie him up, stop all of that.
42:20What do you think he was going to do?
42:22Stop holding.
42:23Stop holding.
42:24Oh, you got the first warning right there from the ref.
42:31Time, time, time.
42:32Over there.
42:33Second warning.
42:34I know, I know.
42:34Give me the towel.
42:35Give me the towel.
42:35Okay.
42:38Me, that.
42:39Me, that.
42:39Over there.
42:41They're going to wipe up the center of the rim.
42:46Absolutely.
42:46You were saying that this needed to be done.
42:48Yes.
42:48A few rounds ago.
42:49Good job.
42:51Great job.
42:52You know, the sweat and the water they put on the head to revive the fighter in the corner.
42:56You know, it starts dripping down on the trunks and then become full of water and they just drip off at the bottom right there.
43:02You see, especially from Garcia, his trunks are full of water.
43:07Looking for that counter right hand again.
43:12Sports center is coming up after our world championship fight, as well as the state of boxing on the ESPN app.
43:20That is where we will give you all the post fight analysis and interviews and backstage access with both fighters and really unprecedented access every time on the state of boxing.
43:33So, we hope you enjoy that on the ESPN app.
43:38Our post fight show will be there.
43:40We hope you enjoy that.
44:11Can use your feet.
44:15He's done that well.
44:16Can move your head.
44:17He's done that well and can block punches.
44:28Yeah, it's there for the taking.
44:29Look, I think Garcia's prime.
44:31He's ready.
44:31I think he's ready to go.
44:32Yes, he's tough.
44:33He's doable.
44:34But I think he's ready to go.
44:36I think Xander, he start wrapping it up that offense a little bit.
44:40Possums concern as well. He has that ability, but right now he's comfortable with just winning a fight easily and go home with that belt
44:48Three punch combination from Zayas brings about a response from Garcia, and we are three minutes away
44:55From crowning a world champion. Let's listen in
45:01When you throw that right hand up because you're frustrating the shit out of you, right?
45:05Last round, we touched your gloves. You're frustrating the shit out of me. What I want is that next right hand right behind you
45:10You're going back, back. I want that next right hand, then I want you to get to the right. Let's stab downstairs and then come over the top again, okay?
45:23Nice deep breath
45:26I need you to throw a lot of combinations here
45:31This is the round of your life
45:33I've been doing my car. I want you on the inside. I need to see
45:39On his arms everywhere just hit him
45:41All the years of hard work
45:47The days of sparring
45:49The pro fights to work yourself into position
46:05And it comes down to this three minutes 12th and final round who will be a world champion
46:13Xander Zayas has dreamed of this moment
46:18He said the dream is to do it here at MSG the place that feels like home
46:24His eighth time fighting here on property
46:27His fourth straight time in the intimate theater that is passion filled with his puerto rican supporters
46:34When you listen to them
46:49What does garcia need to do here timmy
46:51Sell out just let those punches fly test
46:56That's it stop stop stop let them fly
47:01Aim at the body aim at the chest hit the arms hit anywhere
47:06Just let them go go for it and at least you can say hey
47:10I lost but I gave it everything I damn had in my body
47:17Zayas had a nice short right hand at the end of the last exchange
47:21Stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop
47:24Xander you gotta stop holding again
47:25He's fat lazy white sweeping punches by garcia zayas continues to move
47:37Zayas still looks really good on his feet
47:40Oh nice combo
47:41Punch combination
47:44Good head shot that finished it up
47:51You see the frustration right now starting to build from garcia
47:54Having a hard time locating xander. He just wants to get after him. He wants to land something hard
48:00Look at that clock
48:02Zayas gets to this finish line safely as he appears that he can
48:07There's going to be a heck of a celebration most likely here in new york
48:11It's going to be one of the greatest moments in xander's eyes life. We're going to have the youngest
48:16active champion in boxing in the world at just 22 years old
48:22Young man born in san juan puerto rico
48:26Went to high school in south florida where he trains
48:29He has spent half of his life with his trainer jade el centeno
48:34He has said the dream has to come true tonight right here
48:39And perhaps he's 20 seconds away from realizing that
48:48In test there's no championship
48:51Better than the first one you win test. I promise you that no greater feeling
48:56i promise you that any year he's going to we'llæ—¥
49:11get up
49:11day 5 3
49:12Matter time
49:15we're gonna take a short break when we come back we will hear from the judges
49:22and determine the WBO junior middleweight world title
49:45we're gonna take a short break
50:15we're gonna take a short break
50:45we're gonna take a short break
51:15we're gonna take a short break
51:45we're gonna take a short break
52:15we're gonna take a short break
52:45Trevor and Kevin thank you very much look forward to sports center
52:59let's go through what we saw between Xander's eyes and Jorge Garcia
53:06I mean Xander answered all the questions tonight can he take a punch yes he can take a punch
53:15he doesn't punch hard enough many thought he didn't include myself is he big enough is he skilled enough to compete with the best fighters out there in the world at the age of 22
53:27he fought a strategic fight tonight
53:29a brilliant battle of execution of technical prowess and ability speed combination punching counters from all directions
53:43check hooks check hooks from right hands body work he did it all tonight to accomplish his dream against a hungry determined Garcia who has come into this ring with confidence all the confidence in his body that he was gonna win this world championship tonight and Xander's eyes shut that down my gosh what a performance by this young man tonight
54:09congratulations
54:15you can see his copy of the game you can see his copy of the game you can see his copy box numbers that he made at 45 percent of his power punches Mark Kriegel
54:220.99
54:23he made at 49
54:2611 rounds to 1. Garcia brought it just like he said he would and in the process made Xander Zayas a star
54:31here's the Hall of Fame ring announcer Jimmy Lennon jr. with the cards
54:35ladies and gentlemen after 12 rounds of action here are the score totals judge of ringside Tony Payolillo scores about 116 to 112
54:47Tom Schreck sees it 118 to 110, and Robin Taylor scores the action 119 to 109.
54:57All three in favor of the winner by unanimous decision.
55:02He is now the WBO junior middleweight champion of the world,
55:07the proud Boricua de San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zander Zayas.
55:29The embrace with family, with manager, with trainer.
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