Podcast Summary

Podcast: Chente Ydrach – Masacote
Episode: XANDER ZAYAS - El Campeón más joven del mundo es de PR
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Chente Ydrach
Guest: Xander Zayas

Overview

In this lively episode, Chente Ydrach sits down with Xander Zayas, the youngest male boxing world champion from Puerto Rico, to explore his historic achievements, upcoming title unification fight at the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico, and life as a rising star. The conversation covers boxing mentality, discipline, media presence, Puerto Rican pride, and personal reflections, offering listeners an inspiring and entertaining look behind the scenes of a champion in the making.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Becoming Champion and Handling Fame

• Chente introduces Xander as a returning friend of the show and celebrates his growth—both physically and professionally—culminating in his landmark world title.
• Xander reflects on life post-championship:
  • Now gets recognized and called "campeón" in the street.
  • "Pasé de ser el cazador a la presa, como quien dice. Ahora todo el mundo quiere lo que yo tengo y yo tengo que mantenerme como cazador." (01:16)
  • Emphasizes that his hunger and focus remain unchanged, despite the new attention.

2. Historic Unification Fight in Puerto Rico

• Upcoming unification bout scheduled for January 31 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico (el Choli), making history as only the second unification held in PR and the first at the Choli.
• On fan expectations and pressure:
  • Puerto Rican fans are described as eager for rapid success, but Xander asserts the importance of patience and growth.
• Facing a former sparring partner:
  • Zayas explains that sparring sessions with upcoming opponent Abad Barao don’t reveal much about the real fight because both were in different training phases (04:13-05:20).

3. Championship Celebration & Impact of Media Presence

• Chente shares a story about leaving Bad Bunny's house early to watch Xander’s championship fight—highlighting the excitement boxing brings to PR.
• Xander recounts an emotional, whirlwind week post-victory, moving from New York to media appearances and culminating with celebrations at Bad Bunny’s residence (06:50-07:34).

4. Rimas Partnership & Promo Mastery

• Xander signs with Rimas Sports (the management division of Latin music powerhouse Rimas). He lauds their production for elevating his image, notably in a promotional video considered "la mejor pieza promocional de boxeo en la historia del boxeo puertorriqueño" (08:20).
  • Memorable quote from the promo:
    • “Para mí la única estrella de mi país está en la bandera. Yo me considero más un obrero...” (08:20-10:54)
• Credit to family and creative team:
  • His father got inspiration from a John Miko video to pitch the promo idea (11:06).
  • Emphasizes that his success is a collective triumph for his team and all Puerto Ricans.

5. Weight Management & Camp Discipline

• Physical sacrifices and nutrition:
  • Zayas discusses moving from 147 to 154 lbs due to natural growth.
  • Works with top nutritionists (also from Terrence Crawford’s camp) who oversee everything, including his cheat meals and even facial products to avoid banned substances (13:24-14:38).
  • Typical weight cut before a fight involves losing 10–12 pounds, mostly water (15:16-16:26).
• Camp routines:
  • Team lives with him during camp; focus is on hydration, healthy cutting, and strict discipline.
  • Hates the ice bath recovery but does it for muscle inflammation (38:15).
  • Most rigorous parts of camp: varied, but especially the diet, sprints, and ice baths.

6. Mentality, Strategy & In-Ring Intelligence

• Surprises about his age:
  • At just 23, many mistake him for older due to his exposure.
• Discipline origins:
  • Began boxing at 5, found discipline through sports after having been bullied (33:16-34:14).
• In-ring adaptability:
  • Describes how boxing strategy constantly changes:
    • "Siempre cambia...Uno entra con plan A y en algún momento tiene que recurrir a plan B." (30:14)
    • Value of feints and reading opponent reactions.
  • Trusts his corner’s instructions—they are his eyes when he can’t see everything himself.

7. Puerto Rican Pride & Boxing Legacy

• On Puerto Rico's boxing history:
  • Discusses significance of following in the footsteps of PR legends and the deep pride in representing his country (23:37-25:59).
  • Referenced famed rivalry with Mexico and Puerto Rico’s outsized impact given its small population.

8. Memorable Tito Trinidad Meeting

• Xander recounts emotional encounter with legendary Félix "Tito" Trinidad, unexpectedly meeting him during an interview after naming him as an idol (21:05-23:37).

9. Promotion, Rivalry & The Showdown

• Opponent’s challenge:
  • Quotes Abad Barao’s fighting words, promising to show who truly dominates the 154 division:
    • “No voy solo a presentarme, voy a demostrar quién soy, llevarme otro cinturón y quizá ganarme algunos fanáticos puertorriqueños en el camino…” (35:03)
  • Xander responds calmly, hungry for a worthy opponent:
    • "Quiero esperar y espero la mejor versión de él. Y esa noche se verá de qué cuero sale más Correa." (35:53)
• Oscar de la Hoya rivalry:
  • Brief discussion about failed efforts to match Zayas against Virgil Ortiz—the priority was always to fight in PR (36:13-37:00).

10. Life Outside Boxing

• No alcohol, no smoking, all in for discipline despite sponsorship opportunities (20:25-20:38).
• Enjoys running in El Morro and shares the lesson of staying focused forward (32:31-32:59).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the pressure of being champion:
  • "Ahora todo el mundo quiere lo que yo tengo y yo tengo que mantenerme como cazador y seguir cazando." — Xander Zayas (01:16)
• On representing Puerto Rico:
  • “Yo soy uno más que representa con orgullo lo que significa ser de aquí.” — Xander, from promo (08:20)
• On his discipline:
  • "Nunca he tocado el alcohol. Es más, he sido auspiciado por marca de alcohol y nunca me tomo una cerveza. Nunca he tomado nada.” — Xander (20:25)
• Emotional reaction to meeting Tito Trinidad:
  • "Yo no quería llorar... Que Tito se diera la cita para algo que era mío...significó mucho." — Xander (22:49)
• On strategy in the ring:
  • “Siempre cambia...Uno entra con plan A y en algún momento tiene que recurrir a plan B.” — Xander (30:14)
• On hard work and integrity:
  • "No hay atajo en este negocio. Porque en algún momento te van a alcanzar." — Xander (40:11)

Timestamps & Important Segments

• 00:00–02:47 – Introduction, ascent to champion, life changes.
• 03:31–05:27 – Unification fight details, sparring history with opponent.
• 06:21–07:34 – Championship celebration week, Bad Bunny story.
• 08:20–10:54 – Full promo audio; "no hay atajos" speech.
• 11:06–12:34 – Origin of promo concept and team’s role.
• 13:08–14:38 – Weight class evolution and nutrition discipline.
• 15:14–16:46 – Weight-cutting practices.
• 17:13–18:36 – Rimas Sports partnership origin via Eladio Carrión.
• 21:05–23:37 – Emotional Tito Trinidad encounter.
• 25:26–25:59 – Puerto Rican boxing spirit: “corazón y orgullo.”
• 26:24–27:26 – Mental approach to championship night.
• 30:14–31:03 – Adjusting game plans mid-bout.
• 32:31–32:59 – Teaching moment from a running challenge.
• 35:03–35:53 – Opponent’s bold challenge; Xander’s response.
• 38:15–39:08 – Ice baths and recovery routines.
• 40:11–40:51 – “Soy obrero": on work ethic and the honesty of boxing.
• 41:26–42:36 – Ticket info, final thoughts, and gratitude.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures Xander Zayas as a grounded, driven, and proudly Puerto Rican champion, providing a behind-the-scenes view of his discipline, humility, and connection to his homeland. The excitement surrounding his January unification fight, the role of media and image in boxing, and the wisdom he shares will resonate with sports fans and anyone inspired by stories of dedication and national pride.