Xander Zayas overcomes first boxing career obstacle

Xander Zayas had to cancel his June boxing bout due to illness, but he’s back in the ring against Elias Espadas on Aug. 13 at Resorts World Las Vegas. 

Ever since Xander Zayas signed a professional boxing contract with Top Rank at 16, everything has gone right for the promising young man. In June, Zayas faced his first significant career obstacle.

Zayas (13-0, 9 KOs) was preparing for a June 11 matchup at Madison Square Garden. He traveled to Australia to train alongside stablemate and former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr..

It was an exciting time for the 19-year-old from Sunrise, FL. It was his first time traveling internationally, and he was a part of boxing history being made between Kambosos and Devin Haney.

“That was my first time in Australia,” Zayas said to FanSided. “That was my first time in an international land. I’ve never flown international before.”

Zayas was living it up while working hard for his own scheduled event. Seeing a new, far-away place was exciting and added to the mystique of his pre-fight preparation.

“It was amazing,” Zayas said. “I mean, overall, I love the country. The people there was amazing. Training Camp was great. I was looking really good. I was looking sharp.”

Zayas was three days away from flying to New York for his fight, but that’s when his illness began. He thought he was experiencing allergies, so he took it easy during training.

After waking up after a nap later in the day, Zayas knew something was wrong.

“I got to the hotel. I went to sleep,” Zayas said. “And when I woke up that same day, I just couldn’t move. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t do anything.”

Zayas called his father back in the states for advice. His symptoms worsened, and there was only one decision to make: to call off the fight.

Watch Xander Zayas vs. Elias Espadas on Saturday, Aug. 13, on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET

“I couldn’t talk,” Zayas said. “I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t do anything. So it was hard to breathe. So you know, my dad and my team made the decision. They’re like, hey, we’re not fighting. We’re gonna cancel the fight.”

It was a crushing disappointment to Zayas. Zayas was born and raised in Puerto Rico and was hoping to showcase his talents in front of his Puerto Rican fanbase in New York during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend.

“I was mad because I wanted to fight,” Zayas said. “I’m a fighter. You know, I spent eight weeks outside in another country away from my family to not fight. I didn’t want to do that.”

It was a heavy blow for Zayas, but his mind was on his family and fans. He didn’t want to let them down and wanted to express to them why he physically couldn’t fight.

He released a video statement across Top Rank’s social media accounts to get the message across.

“I wanted my fans to understand what I was going through,” Zayas explained. ” That I didn’t want to not fight. That I didn’t want to let them down, you know.”

Zayas tried his best not to get emotional during the video, but his emotions were strong and rose to the surface. He shed anguished tears while addressing his fans.

“And it was funny because, in the video, they asked me, like, do you want to do the video? And I’m like, let’s do it,” Zayas said. “And I wasn’t crying. I’m not crying. Then when I said the first word, like the first tear came, and I’m like, hey, they’re already here. The count is already on. Let’s just get it over with.”

Watching Zayas’s raw emotions helped the public empathize with the young fighter. His sadness was clear and moving.

Zayas showed his humanity and passion for the sport. Today, Zayas says he is in phenomenal shape and fights Elias Espadas on Saturday, Aug. 13, on the Teofimo Lopez vs. Pedro Campa undercard at Resorts World Las Vegas.

“We’ve put [in] eight weeks of training camp,” Zayas said. “The coaches, my dad, and my family, my team is liking what they’re seeing in sparring.”

Zayas is over the first obstacle in his career and is ready to continue where he left off.

“We fighting a veteran that’s never been stopped,” Zayas said. “Just want to go out there and put on a show. Show the world that I’m in a whole different level and that I’m coming for everybody in my division.”