Unbeaten super-welterweight star Xander Zayas has teased a bout with Britain’s Josh Kelly, saying: “I’m better and I’ll show it.”
The 22-year-old Puerto Rican subsequent fights on the undercard of the Mikaela Mayer vs Sandy Ryan struggle for the WBO welterweight world championship on the Madison Sq. Backyard Theatre in New York stay on Sky Sports activities within the early hours of Saturday morning.
On Saturday, Zayas – who holds a 19-0 document, with 12 wins inside-the-distance – faces 27-year-old Mexican Damian Sosa, 25-2(12), in New York, having most not too long ago gained a unanimous choice vs Brazil’s Patrick Teixeira in June.
Regardless of his upcoming struggle, Zayas admits he additionally has an eye fixed on Sunderland-native Kelly, and is eager to satisfy within the ring for a world title eliminator sooner reasonably than later.
“Josh Kelly is ranked high up with me in the WBO, so I feel like that fight could be possible at the beginning of next year or maybe in December if they want to make it happen,” Zayas advised Sky Sports activities.
“He is a superb fighter, I really feel like I am simply higher than him. I’ll present it at any time when we get within the ring.
“I belief the method…However I am prepared. I am able to be out the cage.
“I’m ready to fight these guys and show the world why I say I’m one of the best at 154lbs.”
Zayas’ most up-to-date victory got here at Madison Sq. Backyard – the scene he’ll struggle at once more this weekend.
Zayas has starred in his profession to date to march in the direction of the largest names within the division
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Take a look at a few of Kelly’s most harmful knockouts and flashy expertise from his profession so far
He says the joy of combating at one of many world’s most well-known arenas by no means wavers, including Sosa will probably be a troublesome opponent to interrupt down.
“It never goes away [the excitement]. Fighting in the city that never sleeps, fighting in the big Apple, New York City, it’s always amazing, it’s always beautiful, great energy, great atmosphere and I can’t wait to be back. I can’t wait to be back against a Mexican warrior in Damian Sosa,” he mentioned.
“I’m prepared. I’m in a good place and I’m ready to take over once again.
“I will placed on a present for my individuals. It’ll be an incredible night time, I really feel like it should be one other episode of the rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico and I will come out victorious.
“He’s [Sosa] somebody that is hungry to win, somebody that puts a lot of pressure and throws a lot of punches and somebody that’s not going to stop. He’s not going to give up easy.
“I really feel like I will should work. I will have to interrupt him down and get the victory.”
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Highlights of Zayas’ victory over Patrick Teixeira by unanimous choice at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York
On beating a former champion in Teixeira final trip and future ambitions to struggle for a world title himself, Zayas was clear: He desires to “take over.”
“It gives me a lot of confidence [beating Teixeira] because it shows me that I can hang in there with the best. Little by little I’m going to continue to show why I’m one of the best at 154lbs,” he added.
Zayas expects to struggle for a world title within the close to future. “I feel the best time to put [his world title fight] is beginning or mid next year. Get one more fight in after this one, hopefully if everything goes to plan, no injury, no cuts,” he mentioned.
“The whole landscape, it changes every other month. Whoever it is, I’m there to take over. It makes it exciting for all of us to make the big fights happen.”
Watch Zayas vs Sosa on the undercard of Mayer vs Ryan on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion and Sky Sports activities+ from 2am on Saturday morning.
