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- What: WBO & WBA World Junior Middleweight Title Fight
- Who: Abass Baraou vs. Xander Zayas
- Where: Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- When: Saturday, January 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Xander Zayas defends his WBO junior middleweight title against WBA Champion Abass Baraou this weekend. The unification bout is only the second title unification fight on Puerto Rican soil.
After five years away from Puerto Rico, Zayas returns to the island after capturing the vacant WBO crown with a win over Jorge Garcia. Baraou won the WBA interim title by defeating Yoenis Tellez. He was elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt.
The two fighters are very familiar with each other. It won’t be the first time the two step in the same ring together. They’ve sparred over 80 rounds together, training in South Florida. Zayas aims to become the first Puerto Rican to unify title belts on home soil.
Before we examine the odds, find everything you need to know to bet on boxing online and check out the best 2026 Boxing Betting Sites.
Abass Baraou vs. Xander Zayas
| Winner |  |  |  |
| Abass Baraou | +340 | +325 | +350 |
| Xander Zayas | -500 | -450 | -550 |
Oddsmakers have priced Baraou as a significant underdog at +350 odds, while Zayas is favored at around -500. Zayas’ undefeated record and hometown advantage make him the pick.
His jab, footwork, and boxing IQ give him the edge over Baraou. Despite his success, his style isn’t the most popular. Zayas relies on clinching, using a punch-and-grab tactic in fights. Crowds tend to prefer action and exchanges over holding, moving and constant clinching.
Baraou’s approach is the complete opposite. He throws punches in volume and delivers solid combinations. He punches harder than Zayas and is better during exchanges.
Can he survive the punishment and clinching tactics Zayas will use?
https://twitter.com/WBABoxing/status/2015785208205726116
It will be difficult to upset the local fighter. You have to imagine that close rounds will favor Zayas. While this fight might not be the most enjoyable to watch, we will see a unified champion who can command better opportunities. The winner of this fight sets up a potential matchup against Jaron Ennis or Tim Tszyu.
As tempting as it is to take a flier on Baraou at +350, I believe Zayas wins this one by decision.
Total Rounds
| Total Rounds | | | |
| Over 10.5 | -550 | -500 | -550 |
| Under 10.5 | +366 | +350 | +350 |
Oddsmakers believe this one is going at least 11 rounds. Over 10.5 rounds is priced at -500, an implied probability of over 83%. This tracks considering both fighters’ recent records.
Zayas won his WBO title against Jorge Garcia by unanimous decision. He’s gone the distance in multiple championship fights. His defense and clinching tactics frustrate opponents and reduce the likelihood of knockouts.
https://twitter.com/WBABoxing/status/2015920767746077091
Baraou went twelve rounds in his upset win over Yoenis Tellez. His chin has proven reliable throughout his career. He can absorb punishment while maintaining pressure on his opponent.
His knockout rate is 53% while Zayas is at 59%. This means neither fighter has those power punches in their arsenal. Those numbers indicate both fighters rely more on wearing down their opponents than on one-punch knockouts.
Betting over 10.5 rounds feels smart but pricey. This one is definitely going the distance. I would expect all twelve rounds and scorecards to determine the unified champion.
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