Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Betting Odds and Free Pick

Last Updated on January 28, 2026 3:11 pm by Erwin Noguera

The super welterweight division will once again have the eyes of the boxing world focused on the Caribbean when Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou face off.

What initially seemed like an interesting fight between two young champions ended up becoming a historic event for Puerto Rican boxing: it will be only the second time that a world unification bout has been held on Puerto Rican soil. For the local audience, the appeal is obvious: Zayas, the brand-new WBO 154-pound champion, returns home with one belt and the real possibility of leaving with two.

The context surrounding the fight could not be better. Both Zayas and Baraou are recent champions and have shared sparring rounds in South Florida, where they met not as rivals, but as young men hungry for opportunities who never imagined they would end up fighting for a unification title. Baraou became WBA champion after defeating Yoenis Téllez and then being elevated when Terence Crawford vacated the title; Zayas captured the WBO belt by defeating Mexico’s Jorge García. It’s the kind of scenario in which two careers meet at the peak of their ascent, with maximum ambition and no fear.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the boxing predictions, the final bets for this bout, and the odds for each fight.

Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Betting Odds and Info

Why Bet on Xander Zayas?

Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) is just 23 years old and has already become an undefeated world champion, which comes as no surprise to those who have followed him since his amateur days. His career has been managed with patience, but also with purpose: an early debut, constant exposure in New York, and a logical rise that took him from prospect to contender, and from contender to champion without taking any shortcuts. His victory over Jorge Garcia on July 26, 2025, was the culmination of that progression, with a unanimous decision where he controlled distance, pace, and timing as if he had been in the spotlight for a decade.

What has attracted the most attention in this recent stage of Zayas’ career is not only his youth and undefeated record, but the way he has dominated different styles. Against Slawa Spomer in February 2025, he won by technical knockout in the ninth round; against Damian Sosa and Patrick Teixeira, he had more tactical fights where he needed to adjust on the fly, manage his cardio, and learn how to win rounds. His victory over Jorge Fortea in 2023, a technical knockout in five rounds, showed the other side of the Puerto Rican: his ability to accelerate when he smells blood.

Why Bet on Abass Baraou?

On the other side of the ring will be Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs), WBA champion and one of the most underrated European fighters of the moment. The German comes into the fight with only one defeat, an early setback that ended up being a turning point, and five consecutive wins against varied opposition.His most important victory came in August 2025 against Yoenis Téllez, a fight in which he showed discipline, boxing IQ, and the ability to adjust his game plan punch by punch.

Although he does not have the thunderous punch that people often associate with Eastern Europe, Baraou does have a virtue that is difficult to teach: he always makes the right decisions under pressure. That was clear against Macaulay McGowan, Sam Eggington, Hugo Noriega, and Ferenc Katona, very different opponents who ended up falling to a boxer who is more cerebral than aggressive. His knockout of Katona in three rounds was a reminder that not everything in his arsenal is pure technique: when his opponent opens up, he finishes him off.

Baraou also brings the maturity that comes with experience. He has 131 professional rounds under his belt, more than Zayas’ 112, and began his career in 2018, almost two years before the Puerto Rican. Those small details are what bettors look at: Baraou is more accustomed to navigating long fights, finishing strong, and not getting desperate if he loses the early rounds. In addition, his orthodox stance and European background make him an uncomfortable opponent for those who rely on pace or “fast start” rhetoric.

Final Betting Analysis: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou

Statistically, Zayas is younger (23 vs. 31), has a better knockout percentage, and enjoys greater media exposure. Baraou has more experience in rounds, debuted earlier, is accustomed to hostile environments, and is not easily intimidated.

The key point lies in the first six rounds. If Zayas imposes distance and angles, the fight will be comfortable for him. However, if Baraou manages to disrupt the rhythm, work the jab-body and turn it into a tactical fight, the final stretch favors him.

After reviewing the styles, value, and market conditions, we have decided to go with Abass Baraou. This choice is not a reflection of Zayas’s legitimacy as a fighter—he is certainly a worthy contender—but rather because Baraou possesses a cool, mature, and calculating style. This style tends to exploit the weaknesses of fighters who are facing significant pressure for the first time. In a closely contested match, judges can sway the outcome. However, Baraou can disrupt the local fighters’ expectations and deliver a surprising performance.

Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Betting Pick: Abass Baraou