From the opening, Zayas set the terms. He worked off the lead hand, circled off the centre, and forced Baraou to reset behind a high guard. The footwork told early. Zayas touched and moved. Baraou followed and waited. The first four rounds tilted Zayas’ way on activity and accuracy.
Baraou’s right hand began to land in the fifth. It gave him moments. His pressure looked busy, yet the output lagged. Zayas stayed just outside range, picked shots, and refused to square up for long exchanges. He mixed head and body, then slid away before counters arrived.
As the fight wore on, Zayas’ discipline showed. He did not chase a finish. He accepted short trades, then reset. Baraou needed sustained pressure and never found it. The gap widened quietly, round by round.
Why the late rounds confirmed it
The ninth brought the heaviest exchanges. Zayas traded, then chose the ropes to avoid the slick centre, a smart adjustment rather than retreat. With time slipping away, Baraou pressed harder. Zayas answered with composure.
The twelfth carried the risk. Zayas stood his ground and traded to close the show. He finished punching, owned the ring, and removed doubt for two judges.
This was Zayas’ first WBO defence and a unification. It looked earned. He showed footwork, judgment, and the willingness to take a round when required. Baraou showed grit and a solid right hand, yet lacked the volume to take control.
Zayas leaves as a unified champion at super welterweight. The level looks right. The timing looks right. One scorecard did not change that.
Other Results:
- Juanmita Lopez De Jesus def. Goade by unanimous decision (60-53, 60-53, 60-53)
- Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro def. Diuhl Olguin by TKO (R6)
- Yadriel Caban Gerena def. Jeremis Hernandez-Torres by KO (R1)
- Euri Cedeno def. Etoundi Michel William by unanimous decision (100-88, 100-88, 100-88)
- Giovani Santillan def. Courtney Pennington by unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 96-94)
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