This world title bout between Xander Zayas and Jorge Fortea Pérez promises to be a physical, action-packed contest. Despite his size, Pérez thrives on closing the distance and working at close range. His success rate may not be the highest, but his approach never wavers.

Zayas, by contrast, is a far more technical fighter. He mixes levels well, attacks from different angles, and thinks through his combinations. Still, even he will be forced into close-quarters exchanges at times. Pérez will keep pressing forward, and for the first time since 2021, Zayas will face someone taller than him. Back then, he stopped 6'2" DeMarcus Layton in the first round.

Pérez is six years older than Zayas, and he has 16 more professional bouts on his record. But quantity doesn’t always mean quality. He hasn’t beaten anyone particularly notable and lacks elite names on his résumé, though he’s had his share of tough fights.

Zayas is in a similar boat. Solid wins over Patrick Teixeira, Damian Sosa, and most recently, unbeaten Jorge Fortea Spomer, are good but not quite elite-level opposition. Still, his performances have earned him a title shot—and deservedly so.

There are two crucial stats in this matchup: Zayas throws more, and Zayas lands more.

He’s quickly becoming a top-level combination puncher. His timing on counter shots is impressive and hints at huge potential. Even against a pressure fighter like Pérez, who needs to get inside to be effective, Zayas is still busier—averaging 347 punches per fight to Pérez’s 269.

Accuracy favors Zayas too—18% overall versus Pérez’s 14%. More importantly, in power punches, Zayas lands at 23%, compared to 16% for Pérez. If the Puerto Rican finds his distance, Pérez will feel it.

This will be the second fight of 2025 for both men. Zayas stopped Spomer earlier this year, becoming the first to beat the German—and doing it by TKO. In both 2022 and 2023, he fought three times, consistently staying active.

Pérez earned a split-decision win in his last outing. In 2024, he fought four times: three knockouts and one decision victory.

Statistically, Pérez has the edge in knockout ratio—and he certainly punches with authority.

But power doesn’t win fights alone. Landing timely, unexpected, and accurate punches is what truly breaks opponents down. And in that department, Zayas is ahead.

Neither man has ever been knocked out. That’s particularly impressive for Pérez, given his aggressive, front-foot style and four career losses. Zayas is also known for his toughness. The real question is: whose chin gives out first—if at all?

So far, there’s been no indication that either man has a weakness here.

This will be Zayas’s eighth fight in New York, and his fourth in a row at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. He’s practically at home.

Pérez, meanwhile, has fought in the U.S. only twice—this will be his third appearance, after bouts in Oceanside and Greendale.

Zayas originally hoped for a bigger challenge—specifically a clash with Sebastian Fundora. But Fundora vacated the title to pursue a rematch with Tim Tszyu, which he won.

Facing Pérez may not excite Zayas as much, but the fight serves a purpose. Pérez, like Fundora, is a tall fighter who enjoys working at mid-to-close range and thrives in brawls. In a way, it’s preparation for future unifications.

As for Pérez, he’s the clear underdog—less famous, without major U.S. wins. But he’s riding an 8-fight win streak, including two victories over previously unbeaten opponents.

From a stylistic standpoint, Zayas must either showcase his boxing skills or get drawn into a war. And the latter would be a mistake against someone like Pérez.