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Top Rank is set to deliver a glitzy show at Madison Square Garden in New York this coming Friday, February 14. Headlined by the title clash between Denys Berinchyk and Keyshawn Davis, the event, titled ‘Strictly Business,’ promises more than just the headline bout. A stacked undercard will showcase some of boxing’s brightest prospects and returning stars. Jared Anderson makes his much-anticipated return after a tough loss to Martin Bakole on last year’s Crawford-Madrimov card.

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Fans can also look forward to exciting matchups featuring Abdullah Mason and Nico Ali Walsh. However, one of the most anticipated undercard fights is the super welterweight showdown between Xander Zayas and Slawa Spomer. This bout holds significant implications for both fighters, as they currently rank among the top fifteen in the WBO light middleweight standings. Let’s dive into their records and stats to see how they measure up ahead of this high-stakes fight.

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Predicting Xander Zayas vs. Slawa Spomer: Who has better stats and record?

It’s a clash of two undefeated fighters, each bringing a unique style and skill set to the ring. But when it comes to making predictions, the records often tell the story. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Xander Zayas grew up idolizing legends like Miguel Cotto and other Puerto Rican boxing greats. He began his boxing journey at a young age, winning numerous regional titles before relocating to Florida with his family.

Zayas made his professional debut in October 2019. By 2022, he claimed the WBO-NABO super welterweight title, and a year later, he added the WBC-NABF belt to his collection. On September 28, 2023, at Madison Square Garden, Zayas successfully defended his title against Damian Sosa. Out of his 20 professional wins, 12 have come by knockout, giving him a 60% KO-to-win ratio.

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Slawa Spomer stepped into the professional ring slightly earlier, debuting on May 12, 2018. While details about his amateur career remain scarce, the Kyrgyzstan-born German has built an impressive record. His achievements include capturing both the European and Global super welterweight titles. Spomer holds a professional record of 20 wins, with 11 coming via knockout, resulting in a 55% KO-to-win ratio.

Zayas vs. Spomer height, weight, reach comparison, and more

While Slawa Spomer’s reach remains undisclosed, he stands at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), matching Xander Zayas in height. However, Zayas holds a possible advantage with a reach of 74 inches (188 cm). In terms of weight, Zayas tipped the scales at 153.4 pounds during his last fight against Sosa. Spomer, on the other hand, weighed 154.3 pounds in his bout against Adam Ngange on November 9, 2023.

Who has the edge?

Based on current stats, Xander Zayas seems to have the upper hand. His youth, greater exposure on prominent cards, and slightly better knockout ratio position him as the favorite. According to bookmakers, Zayas enters the fight with -910 odds, while Spomer steps in as the +500 underdog.

Zayas, who has trained alongside notable names like George Kambosos Jr. and Amir Khan, is often touted as Puerto Rico’s next big boxing star. He currently ranks first in the WBO standings, second in the WBC, and fifth in the IBF. A win here could propel him even closer to a world title shot, adding more weight to the already high stakes.

With so much on the line, fans will be glued to their screens to see if Xander Zayas can maintain his undefeated streak or if Slawa Spomer will deliver a shocking upset.

What about you? Between Xander Zayas and Slawa Spomer, who’s your pick for the win?

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Jaideep R Unnithan

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Jaideep R. Unnithan is a Senior Boxing Writer at EssentiallySports and one of the division’s most trusted voices. Since joining in October 2022, he has brought a deep love for the sport into every story, whether reporting on live bouts with the ES LiveEvent Desk or unpacking the legacy of fighters from different eras as part of the features desk. Trained under EssentiallySports’ prestigious Journalistic Excellence Program, which is a specialized training initiative designed to refine top writers' skills through mentorship and advanced sports journalism techniques, Jaideep’s writing reflects a quiet authority shaped by two years of covering boxing’s flashpoints and fault lines. He is drawn to the warrior code of legends like Alexis Argüello and Marvin Hagler, while also staying attuned to the promise of rising stars like Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez, David Benavidez, and Dmitry Bivol. Jaideep has a special fascination with Naoya Inoue’s old-school grit. Beyond writing, he reads widely, a habit that sharpens his storytelling, whether he’s tracing the rhythm of a classic fight or preparing his next ringside dispatch. Before joining EssentiallySports, Jaideep worked as a client manager and team manager in corporate roles, bringing strong organizational and communication skills to his journalistic career. He has also completed notable certifications, including a Non-Fiction Book Writing Workshop.

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Gokul Pillai

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