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Baraou heads to the Lion’s Den to take the WBO title from Zayas

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Image: Abass Baraou Heads Into the Lion’s Den: German WBA Champion Aims to Rip Xander Zayas’ WBO Title in Puerto Rico Showdown on January 31

WBA junior middleweight champion Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KO) will hit the road again to face WBO 154-pound titleholder Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KO) on January 31, 2026 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Top Rank, organizers of the Baraou vs. event Zayas, there is no information about the January 31st broadcast platform. Boxing fans will be interested.

Top Rank’s long-running eight-year broadcast contract with ESPN ended on July 26, 2025. They have been without a home since then. Surprisingly, they found no other broadcast platform where their talented players could showcase their skills.

Can Zayas withstand the heat?

The 31-year-old German Baraou will enter enemy territory to take the WBO title from the 23-year-old, inexperienced Puerto Rican Xander in his first defense of the crown. This is a fight where Baraou will need a good set of wheels to keep up with Zayas as he is mobile and tends to hold up a lot.

Baraou looked outstanding in his last fight, defeating interim WBA 154-pound champion Yoenis Tellaz by unanimous decision of 12 rounds in a spotless war on August 23, 2025. A month later on September 21, the WBA elevated Baraou to the full junior middleweight title after previous champion Terence Crawford vacated the title.

Objections and complaints

Zayas won the vacant WBO 154-pound title in his last fight, defeating Jorge Garcia Perez via 12-round unanimous decision on July 26, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York.

This wasn’t a fun fight to watch unless you like to see movement and a lot of holding. This was the tactic Xander used to neutralize Marqarito’s pressure and Garcia Perez’s inside skills.

The 23-year-old Zayas is no match for Puerto Rican talents of the past, Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. As far as Chris Williams can tell, Zayas’ fighting style is nothing like these champions. If Xander held back and moved less, he would have a better chance of matching these retired legends.

Baraou’s statement

“I fully appreciate him for stepping up and accepting this fight. Not everyone would take such a risk, especially at this stage, but that’s what makes this fight special,” Baraou said. “I’m getting ready to go to Puerto Rico, I’m going to bring some real heat and show the world that I’m a real force in this division. I’m not coming just to show off. I’m coming to make a statement and leave with another belt.”

For Barou to win, he will need to have quick feet to catch up to Zayas as he will be on the move throughout the match. Abass will also need an answer to the clinching that Zayas will be using, as it is a gigantic part of his game.

Last update: 11/10/2025

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Boxing

Bill Haney commented on the Keyshawn Davis situation, says Shakur Stevenson’s fight is the most significant

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Image: Bill Haney Addresses Keyshawn Davis Situation, Says Shakur Stevenson Fight Comes First

“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”

Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.

“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”

As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.

“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”

Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.

“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”

Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.

The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.

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Oscar De La Hoya says Gervonta Davis doesn’t deserve to have an undefeated record before her comeback

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Oscar De La Hoya says that Gervonta Davis does not deserve undefeated record ahead of comeback

Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.

It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.

Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.

This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.

However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.

These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.

Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.

As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.

“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’

If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.

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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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