Boxing

Xander Zayas recalls attending Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show

Published

7 months ago

February 10, 2026

On the evening of January 31, Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KO) celebrated the biggest victory of his boxing career, becoming the unified junior middleweight champion by defeating Abass Baraou by unanimous decision in front of his hometown fans.

On the morning of February 1, Zayas flew to San Francisco to meet Bad Bunny to rehearse for his role in the Puerto Rican recording artist’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LX halftime performance.

Suffice it to say that the last two weeks have been a special time for Zayas.

“This is what happens when you put in the work and wait your turn,” Zayas, 23, told ESPN on Tuesday. “Everything was aligned for me and great things were happening. I got off to a good start in 2026 by putting in the work, keeping my head down, and when opportunities presented themselves, I was able to shine.”

Zayas, currently the youngest world boxing champion, made a cameo appearance during Bad Bunny alongside Mexican boxer Emiliano Vargas – a nod to the notable boxing rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico in a moment that immediately went viral.

They joined a star-studded list of celebrities that included Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G and Ronald Acuna Jr. as Bad Bunny’s captivating stage performance paid tribute to Puerto Rican culture.

Zayas, who signed with Bad Bunny’s Rimas Sports, told ESPN last September that he was targeting a 2026 breakout, but even he didn’t think it would start this way.

“It was the greatest experience of my life,” Zayas said, while noting that he was shocked when singer Ricky Martin, who also performed at the show, recognized who he was. “I expected to be the unified world champion, but I never expected to be part of the Super Bowl.”

Two weeks before his match with Baraou, then the WBA junior middleweight champion, Zayas received a call asking if he would like to attend Bad Bunny’s halftime show. The obvious answer was yes, but Zayas still had a task ahead of him: win the Baraou fight, which he did by a thrilling unanimous decision in Puerto Rico.

“I didn’t want to go into the Super Bowl as an underdog, so I definitely had to get that win first,” Zayas said. “They understood and had no plans until I won. But his team told me that when I won on January 31, I would have to fly to training the next day. So I literally wrestled on Saturday night, left the gym at 3 a.m. and hopped on a plane to San Francisco.”

Bad Bunny was in Los Angeles on February 1 to accept a Grammy Award for his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which won Album of the Year. However, he had watched Zayas fight the night before.

Upon Bad Bunny’s arrival in San Francisco, he immediately greeted Zayas with a hug as the two briefly celebrated their victories before getting to work. Zayas had previously seen what Bad Bunny had prepared and was proud of what the Latin rapper was preparing to present to the world.

“I was very proud because I had the chance to experience all this before it happened,” Zayas said. “I got to see all the work that everyone put in, not just the performers, but the entire production. It was a great experience to eat with everyone and stand next to Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga.”

For a man who does this for a living, Zayas said his performance was more stressful than any prize fight he had ever entered.

“I box for a living, so I’m always prepared, but I’ve never been to the Super Bowl,” Zayas said. “I had never been around 70,000 people and I definitely didn’t want to do something and screw up. So of course I was very careful and very nervous.”

With the weekend behind him and significant attention focused on his next move, Zayas is already planning his next fight.

“[IBF junior middleweight champion] Josh Kelly is my next victim,” said Zayas, who hopes to fight at Modern York’s Madison Square Garden during the Puerto Rican Day weekend parade on June 13. “I want all the belts. I’m trying to be like Thanos and get all the Infinity Stones and blow everyone away.

While he waits for this fight to be resolved, Zayas can bask in the fact that he has accomplished more in two weeks than most people achieve in a lifetime. Still, he believes there are even bigger things to come in his career.

“For now, I will rest in Puerto Rico and enjoy this moment, but from now on, every moment will be greater and better than the last because now I have to continue to enrich my legacy,” he said.

Boxing

Ryan Garcia Reacts as Terence Crawford Supports Conor Benn Against Him

Published

4 hours ago

August 30, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Ryan Garcia Reacts as Terence Crawford Supports Conor Benn Against Him"

Ryan Garcia has labelled Terence Crawford a “hater” after being told that the all-time great is favouring Conor Benn to pull off a sizable upset.

The 28-year-old will make a first defence of his WBC title against Benn on September 12, headlining an event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

To his credit, it was arguably a career-best performance that saw Garcia dethrone Mario Barriosdominating their February encounter with a unanimous decision victory.

At the very least, it was a vastly improved display than the one he produced against Rolando Romero, who convincingly outpointed ‘King Ry’ in May 2025.

This result followed his year-long doping ban, however, which can perhaps partly explain why Garcia underperformed so spectacularly against his low-volume opponent.

As for his upcoming clash with Benn, most would argue that the American is superior from both a skill and experience perspective, while ‘The Destroyer’ possibly boasts an edge when it comes to heart and durability.

These qualities were evident during his first encounter with Chris Eubank Jr, which he lost by unanimous decision in 2025 before winning their rematch later that year.

It is perhaps based on those two performances, then, that Crawford has decided to back heavy underdog Bennwho has not fought at 147lbs since 2022 and notoriously tested positive for banned substance clomifene that same year.

Speaking with FightHypethough, Garcia could not accept that ‘Bud’ is being fully genuine with his prediction.

“[Crawford] is really a hater – he needs to get out of retirement already. I think I can beat Crawford – I don’t give a f**k about no Conor Benn.”

Crawford called time on his illustrious career in December, just a few months removed from dethroning Canelo Alvarez and becoming a three-division undisputed champion.

Boxing

Nelson Hysa vs Thomas Narmo Scorecard Analysis and Highlights

Published

1 day ago

August 29, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Nelson Hysa vs Thomas Narmo Scorecard Analysis and Highlights"

World Boxing News provides a scorecard as unbeaten heavyweights Nelson Hysa and Thomas Narmo collide at the O2 Arena in London.

Hysa enters with a perfect 24-0 record against Narmo at 14-0, with neither heavyweight tasting defeat as a professional.

Someone’s ‘0’ has to go, with the regional WBO and WBA Global heavyweight titles on the line over ten rounds on the Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic undercard.

WBN provides a live scorecard of the contest below, plus live results throughout the event.

Hysa vs Narmo Scorecard

Nelson Hysa vs Thomas Narmo

(Live scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)

WBO and WBA Global Heavyweight Titles
O2 Arena, London
10×3

Round	House	Narmo
Round 1	10	9
Round 2	TKO
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
WBN Totals:

Official Result:

Preview

Hysa puts his unbeaten 24-0 record on the line against Narmo, who arrives in London with a perfect 14-0 record of his own.

The ten-round heavyweight contest carries the regional belts and gives both men the opportunity to make a statement on the Itauma vs Hrgovic undercard.

The Hysa vs Narmo scorecard will continue alongside more live coverage on World Boxing News.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

Boxing

Tim Bradley Urges Teofimo Lopez to Seize His Moment with Key Next Fight

Published

1 day ago

August 29, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Tim Bradley Urges Teofimo Lopez to Seize His Moment with Key Next Fight"

Timothy Bradley has urged Teofimo Lopez to face one man after dethroning Rolando Romero for the WBA welterweight strap.

‘The Takeover’ became a three-division world champion last weekend, claiming a majority decision victory over ‘Rolly’ in his first outing at 147lbs.

While Romero was always dangerous, and even hurt his man in round five, it was Lopez who ultimately proved the busier and more skilful operator.

As a result, the 29-year-old is now eager to secure unification matches against either Devin Haney, Liam Paro or the winner of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn, which takes place at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12.

At the same time, though, Lopez could soon be ordered to face mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, who claimed his WBA ‘regular’ title with a unanimous decision victory over Shakhram Giyasov in May.

Before that, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza had ruled that the winner would earn his shot at the full welterweight belt within 180 days of their contest taking place.

And while, admittedly, a title defence by November 19 seems entirely unrealistic, Bradley has nonetheless expressed his desire for Lopez to face leading contender Catterall.

“Teo, you gotta face Jack Catterall next. Yeah, you gotta honour that [mandatory duty]. You just got the belt, right? You gotta defend that title against Jack Catterall.

“He’s been waiting patiently, and it’s his time and his opportunity.”

While Catterall does, indeed, appear to be in a strong position with the WBA, Lopez’ manager Keith Connolly is actively exploring a route for the American to swerve his mandatory duty and chase more lucrative opportunities.