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Xander Zayas Becomes Youngest Unified Champion with Split Decision Win

2/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou by split decision on January 31, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, unifying the WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles.
Zayas, age 23, became the youngest active unified champion, improving to 23-0 with 13 KOs, and he called out Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis.
Judges scored bout 116-112 twice for Zayas and 116-112 for Baraou.
Zayas showed footwork and skills, despite Baraou's late surge.

History

Historical Context

Established in 1988, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) gained recognition over time, particularly after the Japan Boxing Commission acknowledged it in 2012. By 2023, the WBA and WBO titles became vital for fighters like Xander Zayas, who unified these belts in 2026 at age 23, reflecting a trend of young champions in boxing reminiscent of Oscar De La Hoya's early achievements.

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Story summary

Xander Zayas defeated Abass Baraou by split decision on January 31, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, unifying the WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles.
Zayas, age 23, became the youngest active unified champion, improving to 23-0 with 13 KOs, and he called out Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis.
Judges scored bout 116-112 twice for Zayas and 116-112 for Baraou.
Zayas showed footwork and skills, despite Baraou's late surge.

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