Xander Zayas vs Damian Sosa
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00You see the high energy that Xander Zayas is expanding in the corner as he goes back
00:18to get the final instructions from his trainer, Javier Centeno.
00:21Look, Damian Sosa is 4-1 against 5 undefeated opponents who are combined 46-0.
00:28He's been here before, Xander Zayas has never been in a fight against an opponent who tends
00:35to throw more punches than he does.
00:38That is the case tonight.
00:39Bernardo Osuna and Timothy Bradley with ringside reporter Mark Creagle coming to you from the
00:45theater at MSG in New York City.
00:49Sosa is a spray and pray type of fighter.
00:52He usually gets up into the chest.
00:54Right now he's choosing to box on the outside, which is interesting.
01:02Usually he closes the gap extremely fast, comes in behind the jab, bobbing and weaving,
01:08trying to keep himself low to avoid punches.
01:12However, he's respecting the young Xander Zayas as of right now.
01:24Zayas has won his first 19 fights as a pro, 12 of those by way of knockout, including
01:31his penultimate fight, but last time out against former world champion Patrick Teixeira, he
01:36went the distance and it was a fight where Teixeira did not want to engage.
01:41Tonight, it will be a different story as you see Sosa land a stiff jab.
01:51Already Zayas controlling the work rate of Sosa behind his jab.
01:55I mean, he's smart.
01:56He's controlling the range and distance.
01:58He's controlling the pressure already.
02:00Sosa has yet to go.
02:01Sosa's choosing to box.
02:03I don't understand the game plan.
02:05Why are you choosing?
02:06Why are you waiting to box and wait on the young fella to be able to set his feet and
02:11land his combinations?
02:22It's so interesting to me when fighters, they don't be themselves.
02:27They come out and they be something completely different than what you saw on camera.
02:33Sosa said, I'm more than just a pressure fighter.
02:36I get that.
02:37However, the fights that he won, those four fights that he won, he was aggressive.
02:43He was a grill.
02:44He was pressing forward.
02:45He was making it rough and tough for the young fighters.
02:48I know it's the first round, however.
02:51He's got a lot of work to do.
02:53All right.
02:54Our main event features Sandy Ryan defending her welterweight title against Michaela Mayer.
02:58Earlier tonight, Ryan got hit with red paint as she was leaving her hotel to come to the arena.
03:05It was an apparent coordinated attack.
03:07Kay Karoma, who brought her to the U.S., introduced her to a new trainer, Flick.
03:12Well, he told her not to fight.
03:14He was beside himself in the locker rooms.
03:16She was livid.
03:17She says, not only am I going to fight, I'm going to win.
03:20Michaela Mayer claims she's innocent in this situation.
03:23We believe her.
03:24Mark Kriegel spoke with both fighters once they got here.
03:30Did you ever have any intention of not fighting?
03:32Could anyone push you off your spot?
03:35No, I didn't.
03:36I had to go straight up to my room, shower.
03:39The footage that you'll see, we're going to send to you.
03:42You'll see the paint all over my body.
03:46Get ready. Let's go to war.
03:48If that's what they want.
03:49If you want war, Michaela Mayer, we're going to have war.
03:5310 rounds, war.
03:55I'm coming.
03:58Michaela, by now you've heard all the news.
04:01Sandy was understandably upset.
04:03She says it was a setup.
04:05What's your reaction?
04:07Yeah, I was upstairs.
04:08Heard that someone from the street threw paint on her.
04:13I mean, obviously that's crossing the line.
04:15That's messed up.
04:16So I feel for her.
04:19I'm sorry that happened to her.
04:20I obviously had nothing to do with it.
04:23I would never do something like that.
04:24That's crossing the line 100%.
04:26So if she wants to think that, I don't know.
04:29But got to let it go.
04:30We got to fight.
04:31That's what it's about right now.
04:33That is completely unacceptable.
04:35Not how we would expect any fighter to be treated on foreign soil.
04:39And Tim, you won your first world title in the UK against Junior Witter.
04:44What is the mindset of both fighters going into this after what happened?
04:49Look, I'm just going to tell you this.
04:50You got to expect this type of stuff.
04:52You just do.
04:53Even a physical attack?
04:54Yeah, you got to expect anything.
04:56But you got to be able to see.
04:58My trainer, he let me know what was going to happen right off the gate.
05:02Because he's traveled overseas.
05:03And he understands that there's people that bet.
05:06There's fans over there.
05:08I didn't drink their water once I went over there.
05:10When I got to the hotel room, my hotel wasn't ready.
05:14When I got in the room, the AC wasn't working.
05:17There was various things.
05:18I didn't even trust the food I was eating in the restaurant.
05:21That ate fruit the entire week that I brought.
05:24That I brought.
05:25So you got to expect these type of things.
05:27And I'm going to say to Sandy Ryan, let it go.
05:31Let it go.
05:32Be a true professional.
05:33Go out here and defend your title.
05:35Like you plan to.
05:37We saw Sandy Ryan, the champion, warming up with Emanuel Flick Savoy, her new trainer.
05:44Mikaela Mayer also has a new trainer after the dismissal of Kay Karoma.
05:48We're talking about former fighter Kofi Jantua.
05:53And we're going to see how she reacts to his instructions.
05:57A new voice in the corner.
06:00So that will be our main event.
06:02With the WBO female welterweight title at stake.
06:06At the conclusion of the fight we have in the ring right now.
06:09Which features Puerto Rican star, undefeated Xander Zayas and Mexico's Damian Sosa.
06:23Good head movement from Xander Zayas.
06:25Also great jabs.
06:29He slowed down his pace.
06:32To a comfortable pace.
06:35I like the way he's able to get underneath shots.
06:38And land.
06:39You see that nice little inside counter.
06:42Uppercut on the inside with the left hand.
06:46He's able to find offense in between the offense of his opposition.
06:51Punching with Sosa.
06:52And he's going to the body early on.
06:54After establishing the jab in the first round.
06:57So the punch variety from Xander is exceptional so far.
07:04Sosa's defensive responsibility.
07:07Sosa is being defensive responsible.
07:10He's feeling the power of Xander Zayas.
07:12He doesn't want to run into anything.
07:15And that's the reason why he's choosing to box.
07:19Instead of swarm.
07:20But he's not going to win the battle.
07:22This battle.
07:23By boxing.
07:25He has a chance only if he comes forward.
07:28And press the action.
07:56You said it.
07:57You said it.
07:58Download the PrizeFix app today.
08:00Enter $5 and get $50 instantly.
08:02PrizeFix. Run your game.
08:04Louie.
08:05Cut.
08:06More mud.
08:07Action.
08:09Louie.
08:10Louie.
08:11Cut.
08:12Mud on her face.
08:14Louie.
08:15Okay everybody.
08:16That's lunch.
08:26Mud mask?
08:28No.
08:29No.
08:30No.
08:31Compare hotels in the Hotels.com app.
08:37Round 3 of the scheduled 10-round junior middleweight attraction.
08:42Xander Zayas putting his undefeated record on the line in the red trunks.
08:46Trim with gold.
08:47A samurai.
08:48Damian Sosa across the ring from Tijuana, Mexico.
08:52And so far, Xander Zayas has been able to tame a fighter who averages 85 punches thrown around.
08:59Through the first two rounds, he threw 73 total punches.
09:06Good technique.
09:09Allows you to be efficient with your work.
09:12Great distance control from Xander.
09:14Nice right hand over the top by him.
09:17Understanding his range.
09:21Good placement with his punches.
09:24The right combinations at the right time.
09:27This is good stuff from Xander Zayas.
09:30Changing levels.
09:31Going up and down with his jab.
09:33Sneaking shots underneath.
09:37You see the counterattempt right there?
09:38Yeah, absolutely.
09:39That's what I like.
09:40I like the eyes.
09:41Love the eyes.
09:42And Tim, when you have a fighter who throws more punches.
09:45For example, Teixeira came in here to survive.
09:47Oh, nice right hand.
09:48From Sosa, yeah.
09:50But, when you have a fighter who opens up a little more.
09:53It also creates opportunities for you.
09:55And that's what Xander's seeing.
09:57As he lands a good shot there.
09:58It does open up opportunities.
10:01However, on the flip side of that.
10:04It also can make a fighter that doesn't know how to handle that type of pressure.
10:09Be more defensive minded.
10:12Xander Zayas, he can handle the type of pressure.
10:14He's showing us right now that he can handle pressure.
10:17A liver shot there from Xander.
10:19And he snuck it as he was moving backwards.
10:21And he placed that liver shot.
10:24And you're talking about a fighter who made his pro debut at 17 years old.
10:28Was already 4-0 by the time he earned his high school diploma.
10:32And Xander Zayas is a student of the game.
10:35And he's taking Sosa to school so far through the first three.
10:39That left hook is starting to find a home.
10:42Xander's finding a home upstairs and downstairs as well.
10:45There it is again.
10:46Look at that right hand.
10:48Yes.
10:49Nice little comeback counter from...
10:51Now you're starting to see the tempo shift.
10:55From Sosa.
10:56That was a nice liver shot from Xander Zayas.
10:59Sosa is a fighter who knows how to take a shot.
11:03But if you start taking the air out of his tires by going downstairs.
11:06That is the secret to victory.
11:09And you start bringing the guards down when you start going downstairs.
11:13No fighter likes to get hit down to the body.
11:15It hurts.
11:31Mexico-Puerto Rico in the ring once again here at the theater at MSG.
11:35This is top-ranked boxing on ESPN.
11:43What are you doing?
11:44Yo, Sean. Put him on game.
11:46He's locked in on prize picks.
11:48Just pick more or less on at least two players and lock in for the game.
11:51Enter a lineup for as little as $5 and get $50 instantly.
11:55Plus, you can play in most states.
11:58Download the Prize Picks app today.
12:00Enter $5 and get $50 instantly with Code Team.
12:03Prize Picks. Run your game.
12:05Oh, you already know, bro.
12:09Louie.
12:10Cut. More mud.
12:12Action.
12:14Louie. Louie.
12:16Cut. Mud on her face.
12:19Louie.
12:20Okay, everybody. That's lunch.
12:32Mud mask?
12:34No. No. No.
12:37Compare hotels in the Hotels.com app.
12:40Out!
12:42Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
12:43Round 4 of a scheduled 10-round fight.
12:45Xander Zayas and Damian Sosa.
12:47And so far through the first three rounds,
12:50Xander Zayas has landed 21 more total punches.
12:54But, Tim, the telling number is 21-0 on Body Shots Connected.
12:59Yeah, that's gonna come back in hot.
13:01Sosa, you know, you want to always invest in the body.
13:05Because late in the fight, you want to see if you can take
13:08or zap some of the energy and take the legs of the younger fighter.
13:13And Zayas, however, Sosa still hasn't thrown a shot downstairs.
13:19I don't understand.
13:20You know, you gotta be prepared for what you're gonna see.
13:24I don't understand what's with these trainers, man.
13:26You know, and their game plans and what they're thinking about.
13:29You know.
13:31And, Tim, you have to be true to your identity.
13:33I just don't get it.
13:34Oh, what a nice shot there from Xander Zayas.
13:38Like, you gotta find a balance that works for you.
13:42You're gonna be able to get your stuff off.
13:44Stay true to yourself, but at the same time, keep yourself safe.
13:47But, man, understand the weaknesses of the opposition.
13:50He starts going down to Xander's body.
13:53You never know what you're gonna uncover,
13:55because no one has tested him downstairs.
13:57Absolutely.
13:58Absolutely.
14:00So far, it's an uncharacteristic performance from Damian Sosa.
14:05And a lot of it has to do with poor strategy on their side,
14:09but Xander Zayas capitalizing on that poor strategy.
14:14Yes, he is.
14:16He's stepping around.
14:20He's not standing in front.
14:22He's setting up his offense.
14:23Level change right there.
14:24Using that jab to set up his offense.
14:26And again, he can't miss with the hook.
14:30Sosa right now is out at bay.
14:32Don't know how to close the distance right now.
14:34He's not moving his head side to side.
14:35He's not giving Xander anything.
14:37No jab, no flick jab, no feints or anything.
14:41So Xander's just able to time him.
14:43Oh, that nice left hook there from Xander Zayas.
14:45Perfectly timed.
14:47Well taken by Sosa.
14:48But just moments ago, I heard the frustration in the corner of Sosa.
14:52This is not the fighter they trained for 10 weeks to come to New York.
14:56Too much technical prowess from the young guy.
14:59That's what it is.
15:03You see, he's 4-1 with one knockout against five undefeated opponents
15:07who are combined 46-0.
15:10Nice inside slip right there.
15:11But there's levels to undefeated fighters, Tim, and we're seeing that tonight.
15:15Yes, you are.
15:16Xander Zayas is putting on the clinic tonight.
15:19He looks sharp, he looks very alert.
15:21He looks precise, very efficient with his work.
15:24I like what I'm seeing from Xander.
15:29And this is supposed to be his toughest test.
15:32But Tim, who did he just fight?
15:34A former world champion.
15:35Those rounds that you go against a sneaky, tricky fighter.
15:40Now you see, this is looking easy for the sport.
15:45Send those pigs in. What are we running with today?
15:47You already know.
15:50Joe, Travis is about to go off tonight.
15:52Thanks.
15:53That's the play.
15:55Run it, and I'll see y'all tonight.
15:57Might have to run that.
16:03I told y'all to run that. Come on, now.
16:06You said it.
16:08Download the PrizePigs app today.
16:10Enter $5 and get $50 instantly.
16:13PrizePigs, run your game.
16:20And PC Magazine named us the best and fastest internet provider.
16:22Switch to Optimum and you can save over $1,000 a year versus Verizon.
16:26Get fiber internet starting at $40 a month.
16:28Call or click today.
16:31It's time for the Punch of the Night, brought to you by Miller Lite.
16:34And it was the first fight of the night.
16:36Rojan Polanco, the junior welterweight prospect with that vicious uppercut that drops Marcelino Lopez.
16:42The first time he's ever been down.
16:44He was down three more times, having him take a knee.
16:47Eventually stopped in the sixth round.
16:49And what a great performance from Polanco.
16:51He's different.
16:52I think he put on the best performance tonight.
16:54I know we have Xander in front of us and we still have Sandy and also Mayer tonight.
16:59But, man, that's a must-watch fella right there.
17:03Polanco, he puts it all together.
17:05Speed, power, accuracy, ring IQ.
17:07You can see it all.
17:08And he makes it look easy.
17:10And that's what the greats do.
17:12You know who's good at math?
17:13Who?
17:14Mark Creagle.
17:15Unofficial scorecard, please, if you would.
17:17Unofficially 40-36.
17:19Four rounds to nothing.
17:21Listen, this is the Xander that we've been advertised.
17:25His hands are fast.
17:27His combinations are varied.
17:29His body work is excellent.
17:31This is the guy that we've been telling people could be a champion one day.
17:35It's also the right opponent for a fighter like Xander Zayas to shine.
17:40As he digs to the body of the Mexican fighter.
17:43Goes downstairs again.
17:45You see that left hook.
17:47Right in the home.
17:50From Xander.
17:52But, yeah, you've got a fighter that is, again, tamed.
17:56You've got to think about that.
17:58Sosa is all gas, no brakes.
18:03Xander is making him box.
18:05I mean, he's just making him change his character.
18:08Making him change his style.
18:10You have to understand that.
18:12That's the difference.
18:13He's timing him well.
18:14He's catching him coming in.
18:16He's making him pay for every mistake he makes.
18:18Yeah, exactly.
18:19And that's how you tame a come-forward fighter.
18:22Exactly how you tame them.
18:24Ooh, uppercut.
18:28He's just reading what Sosa's about to do.
18:31And acting on it before Sosa has a chance to execute.
18:36Nice stiff jab once again from Xander Zayas.
18:45Sosa's face is starting to wear down here
18:49before we reach the midway point of this fight.
18:52Breathing from the mouth.
18:54Totally frustrated.
19:00Nice left there from Sosa as his corner says,
19:03let your hands go.
19:07Good defense, good angles right there from Xander.
19:13Ooh, nice right uppercut from Xander,
19:15but then he takes two from Sosa.
19:18Yeah, Sosa right there just letting his hands go.
19:22Trying to put more and more pressure on Xander.
19:24Xander's handling it well.
19:26He's escaping off the side exits.
19:28He's stepping around very well.
19:30He's pivoting in spots.
19:33And landing the first clean shot
19:35before Sosa is able to land a shot of his own.
19:39Alright, Sosa's gonna have some decisions to make
19:42when we come back with the second half of the fight
19:44because, as of now, it's been a runaway train.
19:53What are you doing?
19:55Yo, Sean, put him on game.
19:57He's locked in on prize picks.
19:58Just pick more or less on at least two players
20:00and lock in for the game.
20:01Enter a lineup for as little as $5
20:03and get $50 instantly.
20:05Plus, you can play in most states.
20:08Download the Prize Picks app today.
20:10Enter $5 and get $50 instantly with Code Team.
20:14Prize Picks, run your game.
20:16Oh, you already know, bro.
20:20If I was to describe this sandwich in one word,
20:22I would say magical.
20:24Hi, this is Jamor.
20:25And the little thing that I love about the Chick-fil-A
20:27Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich
20:29is that extra oomph.
20:30I go back and forth from the spicy filet
20:32to the original filet.
20:33Personally, I get into the sweetness of the honey.
20:36That's what hits first.
20:37Then you have the extra kick from the spicy filet.
20:40And then you also have the spice of the jalapeno peppers.
20:43The combination alone takes it over the top.
20:45It's award-winning in my mind.
20:50Inside the theater at MSG
20:51where Xander Zayas is putting on a clinic.
20:53He's landed 118 punches to 41 for Damian Sosa.
20:57For Damian Sosa, that is a difference of 77.
21:00But he's thrown 100 punches more.
21:03That accounts to about 20 punches more per round, Tim.
21:07And at some point, the body punch output from Sosa
21:11has to increase.
21:12He's only landed one.
21:13And that was in the last round.
21:14That's too late now.
21:15I mean, he even went down there.
21:17It should have been from round one.
21:20Matter of fact, his legs just buckled a little bit
21:24as they came together.
21:26I love Xander's defense tonight.
21:29He's being very responsible after his offense.
21:32Again, rolling under shots and placing shots.
21:34That's a special gift that he's learned how to do.
21:37It's a special skill, I should say.
21:39Excellent defense can enhance your offensive capabilities
21:45when you're standing here.
21:46It gives you more opportunities.
21:48You've got to think about it this way.
21:49When you're in football, the quicker the defense gets off the field,
21:53guess what?
21:54The offense has more opportunity to score
21:56and give them more time.
21:57The man who's in charge of teaching and guiding Xander Zayas
22:01is Javier Centeno.
22:02Mark Regal spoke with him.
22:03What are they saying in Xander's corner?
22:05I asked him how he breaks this down
22:08and comes away with a knockout,
22:10in spite that Xander looks spectacular.
22:12He says, keep going to the body.
22:15You can see Sosa's hands are dropping.
22:17And once they get low enough,
22:19you've got to come up with an overhand right
22:21and finish it with a hook.
22:22We just saw that overhand right that didn't connect cleanly,
22:24but the idea is there.
22:26Now the execution has to come from Xander.
22:29Sosa got a hard head.
22:30Nice left hook, too, Xander.
22:31That was.
22:32But Sosa got a hard head.
22:34He ain't never been stopped before.
22:35True.
22:36If you're going to stop somebody with a hard head,
22:37trust me, you've got to go downstairs.
22:39You have to hurt them downstairs to the limit.
22:44A lot of guys can take a head shot
22:46and just keep coming at you,
22:48and that's the case for Sosa.
22:51Xander just in a great rhythm.
22:54He's in his groove right now.
22:55Right in his groove.
23:07Nice combination.
23:08Good combination.
23:09Yep, absolutely.
23:15Everybody wondering what this is.
23:16Yes, it's distance control.
23:19Having good fundamental habits from Xander.
23:21That's why it's looking so easy.
23:23Also timing.
23:25Timing, timing, timing.
23:27He's able to land these shots underneath.
23:30A little blow there from Xander Zayas.
23:33Gets the admonishment to pick it up.
23:36And Tim, timing and technique beats all.
23:39I'm going to let John know right now.
23:40Timing and technique.
23:41All right.
23:42Well, timing and technique will be part, I'm sure, of your lab
23:45as we look ahead to tonight's main event.
23:47Michaela Mayer looking to take the WBO welterweight title
23:51from Sandy Ryan.
23:53Yeah, check this out.
23:54I mean, Michaela Mayer is not so bad in the inside.
23:57She can actually fight me inside,
23:58and this is a tactic that I learned from Teddy Atlas
24:01when I was training with him.
24:02It's the clinch and release.
24:03Most fighters get relaxed on the inside.
24:06You see here, Natasha Jonas getting relaxed.
24:09You see the back foot, the kickstand right there
24:11to be able to explode with her offense on the inside,
24:14catching Jonas by surprise.
24:16But there's some flaws here at mid-range.
24:19Sometimes Michaela can be a little heavy on her feet,
24:21plodding forward, get in range,
24:24not taking her head off the line.
24:26She runs right into some offense right there
24:28with an athletic Jonas.
24:31And here it is again.
24:32Sometimes Michaela will lunge forward,
24:33but you see the back foot staying at home.
24:35You got to bring the back foot forward
24:37so you can have balance
24:38and so you're not reaching like Michaela Mayer.
24:42And if she does that in this fight,
24:44Sandy Ryan has good feet.
24:46She knows how to step by the range and fire her offense.
24:49She's going to be able to take advantage
24:51of Michaela Mayer in those particular spots.
24:54Tim, she's got three knockout victories,
24:56does Sandy Ryan in seven professional wins.
24:59So you make those mistakes against a power puncher
25:02who's at her natural weight class.
25:04It's a different story.
25:05Yes, you put yourself in harm's way.
25:07Absolutely.
25:08And she's going to make you pay,
25:10and it's going to hurt every time.
25:11You make those type of mistakes.
25:13And then you add all the drama to that,
25:15all the emotion to that,
25:17and it changes the entire dynamic of the fight.
25:19But look at how relaxed Michaela is in her dressing room.
25:22Yes, she's probably looking at the lab right now.
25:25That's what she's laughing at.
25:26She saw that seven punch combination.
25:30She said, Tim, come on now.
25:31Stop giving me up.
25:35Well, she also keeps giving up that jab to Xander Zayas,
25:39and Xander says, I'll oblige you.
25:41I'll take all those jabs you give me,
25:43and then I'll throw in a body shot to boot.
25:50See, you know, we talk about,
25:52I was talking about timing and technique, right?
25:55You know, we talk about how great power is.
25:58Power, power, power.
25:59He can land a shot.
26:00He can land a shot.
26:01But you've got to have a place to land it.
26:04You know, if you don't give him that place to land it,
26:06then how effective is power?
26:08You know, speed, the same thing.
26:11You know, you can be effective,
26:13but again, you have to get in the right range.
26:15And the only way you can do those things is with timing.
26:19Good footwork, timing, and also great technique.
26:24And that's what you see in Xander Zayas.
26:26Xander putting it all together tonight
26:28against a fighter who was supposed to come in here
26:31and test him like he'd never been tested before.
26:34But, Tim, he just totally close-circuited the offense
26:39of Damian Sosa from the jump.
26:42Got him bagging up, too.
26:43Look at him.
26:44Got him bagging up along the rope.
26:45Sosa still trying to figure it out.
26:49Nice shot on the biceps,
26:50and then that opens up a body shot for Xander Zayas.
26:53But he rolls underneath that shot
26:56and throws a left hook.
26:59Nice roll.
27:00Nice short uppercut on the inside.
27:03I mean, those are punishing body shots
27:05that set up that left hook to the chin from Xander Zayas.
27:10Yeah, there's only one thing.
27:11You know, Xander just continues to stay on his jab.
27:14Sosa, what he needs to do
27:15is he needs to find a way to get to the body.
27:18Still yet, you see the jab attempt to the chest
27:21because he's having a hard time hitting the lucid,
27:25young fighter, Zayas.
27:27But he's elusive while being there, Tim.
27:30He's right in front of him.
27:31Yes.
27:32But he's making him miss everything.
27:33Half a step back.
27:34Good.
27:35Again, great distance recognition by Xander tonight.
27:43Sosa trying to let his hands go,
27:44but nothing close to what we expected
27:47in terms of punch output
27:49from the fighter from Tijuana, Mexico.
27:52We'll be back with round eight.
28:01What are you doing?
28:03Yo, Sean, put him on game.
28:05He's locked in on prize picks.
28:06Just pick more or less on at least two players
28:08and lock in for the game.
28:09Enter a lineup for as little as $5 and get $50 instantly.
28:13Plus, you can play in most states.
28:16Download the prize picks app today.
28:18Enter $5 and get $50 instantly.
28:21With Code Team.
28:22Prize picks.
28:23Run your game.
28:24Oh, you already know, bro.
28:27The Kittens was filmed before a live studio pizza.
28:30All right, here you go.
28:31Look alive, dipsticks.
28:32I got Little Caesars.
28:34Did you get pepperoni?
28:35I want Italian sausage.
28:36It better be bacon pizza.
28:38Brothers, it's a three-meat treat.
28:40It's got all those delicious toppings.
28:42Come on.
28:43Bacon, pepperoni, Italian sausage.
28:46Save Pop Kittle a slice.
28:50I'm a dog.
28:53The Kittles love their three-meat treat.
28:55Order your three-meat treat for $8.99
28:57and get your game day delivered with Little Caesars.
28:59Pizza, pizza.
29:00Zayas is dancing in the red corner, enjoying himself.
29:04And why wouldn't he be, Tim?
29:06Last three rounds, Sosa, his opponent,
29:09has landed 14 total punches.
29:11In that last round, Zayas connected on 21.
29:16This is the clinic, the boxing clinic.
29:19Boxing 101 from Zander Zayas.
29:23And there's times you see Zander where he's taking a little bit more chances.
29:29Well, you don't have to, but I like it.
29:31He's trying to get more aggressive.
29:33You know, you can tell he's trying to get the stoppage.
29:39You know, he's okay with what's coming back from Sosa right now.
29:44I mean, when you're able to land a lead uppercut, Tim, to start the round,
29:48that tells you what kind of rhythm you're in.
29:50And then you continue to make your opponent miss
29:54and land an uppercut of your own.
29:57Now the power shots.
29:59Let's see if he can figure it out.
30:01Because he has Sosa right now.
30:05He has him on that lane.
30:07That lane, you know what that lane is.
30:09That lane, you know what that lane is.
30:12He's near to exit.
30:14He's near to exit.
30:16He's near to exit.
30:18I know he's tough.
30:19Let's see if he can pull it off.
30:21Nice body shot.
30:22I think that's the shot that's going to end the fight.
30:24If it's going to end, it's a shot to the liver.
30:29And he's going to catch him as he's shooting the right hand.
30:32He's going to dip underneath and catch him as he's shooting the right hand with the liver shot.
30:38Two of 48 landed body shots.
30:40That means that Xander has landed three more body shots than his opponent has attempted.
30:47Just the controlling of range, the way he spun him.
30:50Spun him right there.
30:52Nice body shot again.
30:53That was to the solar plexus.
30:57He's just breaking him down.
30:58Breaking him down.
31:05It's Sosa's game.
31:06He's going to continue to give you whatever he has.
31:09But Xander is just looking clean tonight.
31:13Is he really Latino?
31:14Because if he was, he would have went down to the body, man.
31:17Because you know the Mexican fighters, they go down to the body, man.
31:20You know what happened?
31:21What happened?
31:22Maybe he transferred his Mexican body punching power to Sandy Ryan who's in our main event tonight.
31:27Because she can drop those body shots.
31:30Yes, she can.
31:31You're absolutely right.
31:33Nice one.
31:38Nice one, too.
31:40Saez, though, answers with the same combination.
31:42He gets the better of it.
31:43Nice bump right there.
31:45Getting physical on the inside.
31:46Another bump.
31:47Ooh, nice shot right there from Sosa.
31:49I'm telling you, Sosa, if he did this earlier on, at some point he's got to sell out and give himself an opportunity.
31:56Maybe not to win, but to compete in this fight.
32:00Round 8 is in the books.
32:02Six minutes left in the fight.
32:08What are you doing?
32:09Yo, Sean, put him on game.
32:11He's locked in on prize picks.
32:13Just pick more or less on at least two players and lock in for the game.
32:16Enter a lineup for as little as $5 and get $50 instantly.
32:20Plus, you can play in most states.
32:23Download the prize picks app today.
32:25Enter $5 and get $50 instantly with Code Team.
32:30Oh, you already know, bro.
32:34You know, Coach Prime, it's nice to finally have some free time.
32:37Gives you a chance to reflect on the important things.
32:40Like how Affleck pays people money, but expenses health insurance doesn't cover.
32:44Health insurance does leave a gap.
32:46But Affleck gives people money to help close that gap.
32:50Coach Prime got one on the land, too, baby.
32:52See, that's how you hold up a trophy. Trust me.
32:55Get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover.
32:58Affleck is an official sponsor of ESPN College Game Day.
33:01I hope you're all hungry.
33:02I'm glad I brought my own dinner.
33:06Xander Zayas looking for his 20th win as a pro.
33:09Just 22 years old.
33:11Made his pro debut at 17.
33:13The youngest fighter ever signed by top rank at age 16.
33:17Damian Sosa at 27 years old.
33:19Tim was supposed to come in and ask some questions.
33:24Yeah, he's not asking questions. Not at all.
33:27He's taking a whooping.
33:31Xander looks very polished.
33:33Very comfortable with the pressure.
33:36Ooh, nice counter right from Sosa.
33:39Three and 0 in his fourth fight in the U.S.
33:42But that streak is at stake tonight.
33:45And in danger against Zayas.
33:48Nice head movement on the inside.
33:50Xander, good head movement.
33:52Great defense after his offense.
33:57That stab jab to the body working well for Xander.
34:03I'm pretty sure Xander is pleased with his work tonight.
34:08Sosa, again, got a beard on him.
34:14Never been stopped.
34:16Yeah, but Tim, it's 140 punches advantage in terms of total landed for Xander.
34:25Xander, to the body, that'll wear you down.
34:27Yeah, and it has.
34:30Big shot right there. Nice.
34:33But you know, look, Xander's not going to be that one punch knockout guy.
34:38We've known that.
34:40However, he's only 22 years old.
34:43So, the man bones we've been talking about all the time, he still hasn't fully developed.
34:49Even though his body looks like he has.
34:52So you're telling me he's going to be scarier as he gets older.
34:55Yes, that's what I'm trying to tell you.
34:57He can very well be scarier as he gets older.
35:01Can it be at 54? Will he have to move to 60?
35:05I think he will eventually move up. He's still growing.
35:09Nice body shots there from Xander Zayas.
35:22Nice combination.
35:24I mean, it's just anything Sosa tries to do, he's telegraphing and Zayas has the cheat code.
35:30And he's slow. Sosa's slow.
35:32Very predictable. Fundamentals are terrible.
35:35He's plodding forward.
35:37Not even coming in behind the jab.
35:39And then when he gets in mid-range, he chooses to shoot a jab and then Xander just counters him.
35:45Look at the smile of Xander Zayas.
35:48The only one that can beat Xander in this fight is himself.
35:50He just gets complacent with his defense.
35:53He gets caught with a shot or set up with a shot by Sosa.
35:57At this point, all you see from Sosa, though, are arm punches.
36:00So I don't see the same power.
36:02Ooh, nice right hand.
36:04That right hand.
36:11What are you doing?
36:13Yo, Sean, put him on game.
36:15He's locked in on Prize Picks.
36:17Just pick more or less on at least two players and lock in for the game.
36:20Enter a lineup for as little as $5 and get $50 instantly.
36:23Plus, you can play in most states.
36:26Download the Prize Picks app today.
36:29Enter $5 and get $50 instantly with Code Team.
36:32Prize Picks, run your game.
36:34Oh, you already know, bro.
36:37Good news travels fast.
36:39Ookla ranked Optimum Fiber Speed as the fastest and most reliable.
36:42Ookla ranked Optimum Fiber Speed as the fastest and most reliable.
36:45And PC Magazine named us the best and fastest internet provider.
36:48Switch to Optimum and you can save over $1,000 a year versus Verizon.
36:51Get 1GB fiber internet for $60 a month.
36:54Call or go online.
36:59You should see it out there.
37:03My dad does.
37:06That's all, folks.
37:08Joker, only in theaters October 4th. Rated R.
37:1310th and final round of this step-up fight for Xander Zayas.
37:19It's all smiles for the Puerto Rican fighter here in New York City
37:23as he takes on Damian Sosa from Tijuana, Mexico.
37:27Not a cab driver, Tim, but not the fighter we expected from Sosa tonight.
37:33Well, it's the fighter that's in front of him.
37:35That's the difference.
37:37The major difference.
37:39He came out with his mind made up that, hey, I'm going to have to box this young fella.
37:45And it's all due to what the young fella brings and what he can handle.
37:51Sosa now is throwing shots, but he's also getting hit in the process from Xander,
37:55who is standing directly in front of him.
37:58In the corner, he was telling Javier Centeno, I can't get him out of here.
38:02That's fine. That's fine.
38:04You hit your opposition with his best shot.
38:06You broke him down to the body. You did everything you possibly can.
38:09It's okay you don't get him out of there.
38:11Some guys just not meant to be knocked out.
38:13Sosa's one of those guys as of right now.
38:15Yes. In all of his fights, and we're talking about 27 as a pro,
38:21he's lost two of them, but he's never been stopped or dropped.
38:25So there's a reason that he's putting up this resistance.
38:28It's not a reflection on Zayas. It's a reflection on how tough Damian Sosa is.
38:37And again, it's how Xander's doing it tonight.
38:39I thought this was going to be a very tough battle for him.
38:42I thought Sosa was going to be in his chest and bagging him up
38:45and making him ask questions and taking a deep breath.
38:48High tempo, high work rate.
38:51He came into this match throwing 85 punches a round.
38:58And you know how many he's landed so far this fight?
39:00How much has he thrown?
39:02He's only thrown 450, but he's only landed 64.
39:08That defensive awareness of Xander is something else.
39:13And again, when you have great defense,
39:15it's going to open up opportunities for you with the offense.
39:17But look at these landing shots like that.
39:19Then he goes ahead and walks away.
39:21Nice step around right there to get in position for Xander.
39:24A lot of good stuff.
39:26A lot of great stuff tonight from him.
39:28Very impressive. Another step around right there.
39:31Xander's changing his position.
39:33I would love him to step around and then fire his combinations afterwards.
39:37Because he changes his position,
39:39and as his opposition is turning with him and resetting his position,
39:43he has an opportunity to land something.
39:45He did tell us that he was not going to allow Sosa to set his feet.
39:48Sosa's not setting his feet here in the 10th round
39:51because Xander's right in front of him.
39:53Yeah, Xander's choosing to stand there.
39:55Xander can keep the fight on the outside,
39:57but he doesn't feel threatened right now.
39:59He wants to put on an entertaining finish.
40:01The fans are happy here at the theater at MSG.
40:05Xander Zayas taking it to the final bout
40:09as Damian Sosa continues that streak of never being stopped
40:13in 28 professional fights.
40:16But this one may be lost number 3
40:19all against undefeated fighters.
40:22I'm impressed tonight by Xander. I really am.
40:25He put on a great performance.
40:28A dominant performance.
40:33The punch output did get to the rate we expected
40:37from Damian Sosa in the 10th round.
40:39That's actually characteristic of how he fights
40:41through 102 punches in that 10th and final round,
40:45but it just was not enough.
40:47Let's take a look at how Xander Zayas dismantled Damian Sosa.
40:51Yeah, it must have been Halloween early
40:53because this was taking candy from a baby from Xander Zayas
40:56who got off to a fast start
40:59landing some tremendous body shots,
41:01but everything was set up off the jab.
41:04You start landing the jab.
41:06As soon as you start landing that, the combinations can follow.
41:10I was extremely impressed with Xander's defense tonight.
41:14Very defensively responsible.
41:16Slipping shots like that and coming with the left hook.
41:19Nice right hands and then weaving under, stepping around.
41:23I saw a lot of variation in his attack.
41:25Going to the head and also to the body.
41:27Landing various shots like that.
41:29Uppercuts, right hands down to the chest and to the body.
41:32Left hooks to the body.
41:34He did it all tonight but get the finish.
41:36And he took a shot as well.
41:38Sosa got some knockouts as well.
41:40And he was able to land his right hand also occasionally
41:43when he wanted to.
41:45Great performance by Xander Zayas.
41:47A big improvement from the last time he was inside the ring.
41:50Look at the number of body shots that were landed.
41:5274 to 2.
41:54And just to put things into perspective,
41:56the 148 to 42 landed.
41:58We knew that Sosa threw 84 punches around coming in.
42:02But guess what?
42:03It was 256 to 74 total connects.
42:06That's a 3.45 to 1 ratio consistent with what Xander Zayas usually does.
42:12This was an impressive performance from Zayas.
42:15Let's see just how impressive the judges thought it was.
42:19Ladies and gentlemen, after 10 rounds here inside the theater
42:22at Madison Square Garden, we go to the judges' scorecards
42:25for the official decision.
42:28Tom Carasone, Eric Marlinsky, and Kevin Morgan
42:32all scored the bout 100 to 90
42:35for your winner by unanimous decision
42:38and still the NABF and NABO Junior Middleweight Champion,
42:43Xander Zayas!
42:48The opposition matters.
42:49Mark Kriegel is now with Xander Zayas in the ring.
42:53Okay.
42:56No KO, but shut out on everyone's card.
43:01Was this as good as we've seen as Xander Zayas?
43:05First off, Mark, I would love to speak Spanish.
43:19Thank you, guys.
43:23What did you tell the samurai?
43:25I just told him that he pushed me and he elevated me to the next level.
43:29Now, I feel like I'm ready.
43:31Before, I felt like I was ready, but now I think I let everybody know
43:35that I'm ready for the Elite Games names.
43:37You made a really aggressive fighter compliant.
43:41What's next for you?
43:43Man, they said he threw 84 punches per round.
43:47I didn't see that today.
43:49I did my job.
43:50Now, I just got to be calm, relax, and see what the company wants.
43:54Who do you want?
43:56Whoever in the top five.
43:58There you go, fellas.
44:00Congratulations, Xander.
44:01Xander Zayas proved that he is capable of taking on the best at 154.
44:07Our main event is coming up next.
44:09We'll get you ready for Sandy.