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Youngest world boxing champion Xander Zayas announces ‘historic’ unification fight

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Boxing’s youngest male world champion Xander Zayas announces ‘history-making’ unification fight

Four super welterweight world champions will become three world champions early next year when Xander Zayas faces Abass Barou.

On January 31, in Coliso de Puerto Rico in San Juan, WBO champion Xander Zayas will be looking to prove he is the best 154-pound fighter in the world as he chases his 23rd straight victory.

The 23-year-old is currently the youngest men’s world champion (Camila Zamorano holds that distinction among women’s champions) and can add a WBA title to his collection if he defeats fellow champion Abass Baraou.

In July this year, two months before his 23rd birthday, Zayas won the vacant WBO belt with a unanimous decision victory over Mexican Jorge Garcia Perez at Madison Square Garden.

However, the level of competition increases in January when Baraou heads to Zayas’ backyard. The German scored the biggest victory of his career in August, defeating Yoenis Tellez in Orlando to win the WBA interim title. When then-champion Terence Crawford challenged Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight crown, the WBA stripped Crawford and elevated Baraou to full champion.

A jovial Zayas said he was looking forward to fighting at home.

“On January 11, we will fulfill another dream. This time I will fight on my island. I intend to unify two world titles in front of my people in the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Together we will make history.”

Meanwhile, Baraou praised his opponent for accepting the challenge.

“Xander is a great talent and I fully credit him for accepting this fight. Not everyone would take such a risk, especially at this stage, but that’s what makes this fight special.

“I’m not coming just to show off. I’m coming to make a statement, walk away with another belt, and maybe even gain a few up-to-date Puerto Rican fans. When all is said and done, the world will know who truly is the top dog in the 154 division.”

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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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Shakur Stevenson Doubles Down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence Prediction: ‘Can’t Beat Him’

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Shakur Stevenson doubles down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence prediction: “He can’t beat him”

Shakur Stevenson maintained his predictions for the Errol Spence Jr vs. Tim Tszyu fight, believing that one fighter would be too “mentally tough” for the other.

The meeting of the two former world champions will take place on July 25 in Australia at weight of 158 pounds to accommodate Spence’s inactivity.

Even though Tszyu insisted on fighting at super welterweight, his opponent clearly felt the extra 4 pounds would be appropriate after his three-year layoff.

This long break came after Spence suffered a ninth-round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford, who became the undisputed king of the 147-pound division in surprisingly one-sided fashion.

Spence previously held the WBC, IBF and WBA titles with victories over Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Yordenis Ugas, although a weight augment always seemed inevitable.

Now the 36-year-old hopes to revive his career against Tszyu, who is coming off a two-point win after losing to Sebastian Fundora last July.

While their rematch ended in the seventh round, Tszyu showed tremendous strength against Fundora in 2024, only to lose the WBO title via split decision.

Later that year, the Australian suffered a third-round defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev, with four-division world champion Stevenson saying: The whole fight against smoke that he thinks Spence is a level above him.

“I think so [Spence] I will do well. I wish Errol all the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats Tim Tszyu.

“I’m an Errol Spence fan; I was okay with Errol Spence before [Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally forceful – Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.

Stevenson previously suggested that Spence could “destroy” Tszyu, believing the 31-year-old’s style was tailor-made for “The Truth.”

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