Ronald Cruz was defeated by Xander Zayas at Madison Square Garden in a remarkable display of skill, as Zayas landed an early knockdown and went on to win the fight by unanimous decision.
The bout occurred on June 10, during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. Zayas, a 20-year-old junior middleweight fighter hailing from Sunrise, Florida and born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, utilized a strong right hand to drop Cruz in under half a minute.
Zayas demonstrated his superiority in the eight-round fight, exhibiting quickness, power, and a range of potent blows. Despite Cruz’s toughness and perseverance, Zayas’s agility and force were too much for him to surmount. All three judges gave Zayas the victory with a score of 80-71.
Zayas’ professional record now stands at 16-0, with 10 knockouts, following his latest triumph. He managed to hold onto his WBO NABO junior middleweight belt while also securing the NABF strap. Zayas was thrilled to be competing during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and attributed his victory to staying focused and making crucial adjustments.
