Xander Zayas looks to celebrate the Puerto Rican Day Parade in style as he competes on a special fight night on June 8. He faces Patrick Teixeira in Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater, with the action airing on ESPN+.
Zayas (18-0) signed with Top Rank when he was 16, and the now-21-year-old will be headlining his first fight card. A two-time U.S. National Championships gold medalist, the young super welterweight believes he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his true potential.
“I don’t think I am even 40 percent of what I want to be and what I know I will become,” Zayas said via The Ring. “Each fight, I am getting there. I beat my last few opponents, and they were contenders. I am loading up. I know when I need to be who I can be, it will come at the right time.
"I do not turn 22 until September. I have time. This is the first time I will be getting in the ring in 2024, and hopefully the first of three times I will be in the ring this year.”
WATCH:Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira with ESPN+
Teixeira (34-4) is a former WBO super welterweight champion. Losing the belt to Argentina's Brian Castano, he went on a three-fight skid before posting three victories, all of which ended via knockout.
On the undercard, a young fighter looks to emerge as a contender, prospects continue to showcase their skills, and a boxing police officer gets in the ring.
Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira undercard
Here’s a breakdown of the entire action on the Zayas vs. Teixeira card.
Bruce Carrington vs. Brayan De Gracia
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Carrington record: 11-0
- De Gracia record: 29-3-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Bruce Carrington faces Brayan De Gracia in the co-main event. De Gracia replaces Jose Vivas, who withdrew due to visa issues.
Carrington (11-0) has seven wins via knockout. "Shu Shu" is a 2017 Golden Gloves winner, and the once Olympic hopeful is ready to go 2-0 in 2024 after going 5-0 in 2023.
De Gracia (29-3-1) had a five-fight win streak snapped in July. This will be his second time competing in New York and his first since 2019.
Delante Johnson vs. Tarik Zina
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Johnson record: 12-0
- Zina record: 13-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card is Delante Johnson vs. Tarik Zina.
"Tiger" Johnson (12-0) is a 2016 Youth World Championships gold medalist. He turned pro in 2021 and has six wins via knockout. The 25-year-old went 4-0 in 2023 and won his last fight via TKO in February.
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Zaina (13-1-1) competes in his third straight fight in America. The 29-year-old is 1-1-1 in his last three contests.
Andy Velasquez vs. Cristopher Rios
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Velasquez record: 10-1
- Rios record: 10-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Similar records collide when Andy Velasquez faces Cristopher Rios.
Velasquez (10-1) had a win streak to start his career snapped in February when he lost a decision to Yankiel Rivera Figueroa. The 26-year-old has won six fights via knockout.
Rios (10-1) is coming off a close decision loss to Billy Rodriguez in September. The 21-year-old National Champion has seven wins via knockout.
Jahi Tucker vs. Quincy LaVallais
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Tucker record: 10-1-1
- LaVallais record: 17-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Jahi Tucker faces Quincy LaVallais.
The 21-year-old Tucker (10-1-1) has five wins via knockout. This will be the 2018 USA Junior Open Champion’s fourth fight at MSG’s Hulu Theater.
LaVallais (17-4-1) is on a three-fight win streak, all of which came via TKO. "Chico" has 12 wins via the power punch.
Ofacio Falcon vs. Antonio Dunton El Jr.
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Barboza record: 11-0
- McComb record: 5-2-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Ofacio Falcon vs. Antonio Dunton El Jr.
Falcon (11-0) fought once in 2023 after competing four times in 2022. The 21-year-old last fought in February and has six wins via knockout.
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Antonio (5-2-2) is on a two-fight win streak, the first time he has accomplished that feat since 2021. The 27-year-old competes in New York for the first time in his pro career.
Elijah Flores vs. Derrick Whitley Jr.
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Flores record: 8-0
- Whitley record: 7-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Elijah Flores and Derrick Whitley Jr. compete at welterweight.
Flores (8-0) looks for his second win of 2024. The 20-year-old has eight wins via knockout.
Whitley (7-4-1) is 1-2 in his last four fights and looks for his first win since 2022.
Nisa Rodriguez vs. Jordanne Garcia
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Rodriguez record: 1-0
- Garcia record: 4-3-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Nisa Rodriguez faces Jordanne Garcia.
Nisa Rodriguez (1-0) turned pro in March. The 33-year-old eight-time Golden Gloves Champion is also part of the NYPD's Rapid Response Unit.
Garcia (4-3-3) is 0-3-2 in her last five fights and is looking for her first win since 2019.
Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, June 8
- Location: Madison Square Garden Hulu Theater— New York
- Start time: 11p.m. ET (7p.m. ET for prelims) | 4 a.m. BST(Sun) | 1p.m. AEST (Sun)
- How to watch:US:ESPN+($10.99 for a monthly subscription /annual subscription for $109.99) | UK: Sky Sports
- Watch from anywhere viaNordVPN(30-day money-back guarantee)
Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira is on June 8,kicking off the weekend of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in style. The fight airs onESPN+in the U.S.
Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeiratickets
- Tickets:StubHub
Tickets are available for Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira onStubHub.
Tickets start at $76. Prices then range from $80, $90, $100, $200, $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, and $1,671.
The Hulu Theater in New York can hold up to 5,600 people.
