Jorge Garcia plans on defeating Top Rank’s fighter Xander Zayas, ending the manufactured hype train for him, and capturing the vacant WBO junior middleweight title this Saturday, July 26th, at the Madison Square Garden Theater. The event will be shown on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Compared to some as a slightly shorter version of Sebastian Fundora, the tall 6’0″ Jorge Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs), will be looking to pull off his second consecutive upset by beating the Puerto Rico-born Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs).
Zayas’ First Real Test
I don’t know if you can call it an upset if Garcia wins because Zayas’ resume is empty of names. He’s built his reputation on victories over sub-level opposition, the same type of fighters that Edgar Berlanga beat when he was with Top Tank.
The matchmakers for this company have a golden touch. That’s why it’s impossible to know who will win Saturday’s fight because this is Xander’s first true test of his career. He didn’t have the tough road that the Mexico-born Jorge Garcia has had. He’s been babied by Top Rank.
Jorge Garcia: “I have adapted to that success mindset, and I have been working hard with my team and my promoter,” said Jorge Garcia at today’s final press conference, talking about his fight against Xander Zayas on Saturday. “We decreed that in 2025, we would earn a world title, and now it’s here right around the corner.
“I have to obviously have to get through Xander, but we’re ready and we’ve trained really well for this.”
Garcia looked excellent in his upset of Charles Conwell, dominating him in a 12-round split decision. The scores looked a lot more one-sided than the scores turned in by the judges.
Xander Zayas: “Fight #22 at MSG is my moment to become a world champion. I talked to my family and said 2025 is my year,” said Zayas. “I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to come out victorious. It comes down to on Saturday night becoming a world champion and bringing glory to Puerto Rico.”
Last Updated on 07/24/2025
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