Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) is one month away from his first struggle of 2023. The Puerto Rican junior middleweight phenom will face nine-year veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz within the eight-round co-feature to the WBO featherweight world title conflict between Robeisy Ramirez and Isaac Dogboe on Saturday, April 1, at Laborious Rock Resort & On line casino Tulsa.
Ramirez-Dogboe, Zayas-Cruz and undercard bouts will stream stay and solely within the U.S. on ESPN+.
Zayas signed with High Rank at 16 and has been on the quick observe to stardom ever since. In 2021, the 20-year-old prospect notched six wins, 4 of them by way of stoppage. The next yr, Zayas decisioned Quincy LaVallais in March, captured the vacant NABO junior middleweight title in August by knocking out Elias Espadas, and defended that title in opposition to Alexis Salazar in December. Zayas’ highway to contender standing continues in opposition to Cruz (18-2-1, 12, KOs), a Los Angeles native who has by no means been stopped and is coming off a detailed choice loss to Damian Sosa final August.
Following a latest coaching session, that is what Zayas needed to say:
“I’m working extraordinarily arduous within the health club as a result of I would like 2023 to be the yr during which I place myself as one of many prime contenders within the division.”
“I do know what I would like, and I do know what it’s going to price me to attain it, however every of the sacrifices I make day-after-day within the health club are paying off, and I do it with the intention of wanting higher each time I get into the ring. That motivates me. I try to be higher each single day as a result of each time I step into the ring, I do it with the intention of elevating the flag of my Island even larger.”
“I respect my opponent, Ronald ‘Diablo’ Cruz. He’s an skilled rival; he’s a former WBC Latino regional champ. I do know he’s motivated and excited for this chance. He’ll deliver out the most effective of me within the ring. As soon as the bell rings, I’m there to do a job.”
Promoted by High Rank, in affiliation with Holden Productions, tickets beginning at $49.50 are on sale now and out there to buy at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com
