Ten days stand between super welterweight phenom Xander Zayas and his first shot at a full world title, but Sebastian Fundora won’t be standing in the opposing corner as he once thought he’d be.
Prior to setting up a vacant title with Jorge Garcia Perez for July 24th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Top Rank and Zayas were reportedly pushing for a shot at reigning titleholder Sebastian Fundora. However, Fundora opted for a rematch with former super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu on July 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now, Zayas will head into battle with Garcia Perez, who knocked off promising contender Charles Conwell in his last fight. While the Puerto Rican sensation is keeping focus on his opponent, he recently told Boxing News Online that he was a bit disappointed that the fight with Fundora fell through.
“We were negotiating, and I felt that it was a good negotiation, so it’s obviously a bit disappointing to not be fighting the champion,” Zayas told Boxing News Online.
“I’ve been told that he still wants the fight to happen, but if he really wanted the fight to happen, then he would’ve made it happen,” he added.
It may not be the opponent he was hoping for, but Jorge Garcia Perez is an opponent who is not short on confidence. He plans to be “dominant” against Zayas and make his “dream come true” at the end of July.
“A lot of people thought I wasn’t going to win my last fight, but I scored a stunning upset,” Garcia said when the fight was announced. “Even though I was the underdog, I shocked the world. This fight won’t be any different. Becoming a world champion is my dream, and I’m ready to make it come true on July 26 with a dominant win over Xander Zayas. Mexico will have a new champion this summer.”
Only one man will walk away with the title when the two meet in Manhattan. Top Rank brings the world title action to ESPN live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on July 24, 2025 at 9 p.m. EST.
