Xander Zayas Returns June 8 at MSG

The electrifying excitement of the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in New York City will be kicked off with a thrilling boxing showdown featuring junior middleweight sensation Xander Zayas as he takes on former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a compelling 10-round battle on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. This event marks the continuation of a tradition initiated by Top Rank, reminiscent of Miguel Cotto's memorable defense against Muhammad Abdullaev years prior.

In the co-main event, featherweight prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas in another highly anticipated 10-round clash.

The action-packed Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas bouts will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, with Sky Sports airing the event in the UK & Ireland.

Tickets for this spectacular event, promoted by Top Rank, will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum expressed his excitement, stating, “This is a stellar New York City card showcasing two rising stars, Xander Zayas and Bruce Carrington, who are destined for greatness in the sport. Our Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend events always deliver an unforgettable atmosphere, and I anticipate another electrifying night of boxing.”

Xander Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs), a prodigious talent who signed with Top Rank at just 16 years old, has been on a meteoric rise since his professional debut in October 2019. With notable victories over seasoned opponents, Zayas, now 21, is set to headline his first event against former world champion Teixeira. Speaking on the significance of the bout, Zayas remarked, “Representing Puerto Rico on such a revered occasion is a tremendous honor. I am prepared to showcase my skills and carry the flag proudly on June 8.”

Patrick Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs), despite facing setbacks in recent years, remains a formidable force in the junior middleweight division. Eager to reclaim his status among the elite, Teixeira declared, “This fight is a testament to my resilience and determination. I look forward to seizing this opportunity and making a statement against Zayas.”

In the co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a rising star in the featherweight division, seeks to continue his ascent against tough competition. Carrington expressed his anticipation, stating, “Fighting in front of the passionate Puerto Rican fans is always special. I am prepared to deliver an electrifying performance on June 8.”

Jose Enrique Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), known for his tenacity and skill, poses a significant challenge to Carrington. Determined to showcase his abilities, Vivas asserted, “I am ready to put on a show and demonstrate my capabilities against Carrington.”

The event will also feature a stacked undercard, highlighting some of the most promising talent from the East Coast, including bouts featuring Jahi Tucker, Tiger Johnson, Elijah Flores, Ofacio Falcon, Ali Feliz, Nisa Rodriguez, Andy Dominguez, and more.

With an array of exciting matchups and rising stars on display, June 8 promises to be an unforgettable night of boxing at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.