Vergil Ortiz Jr. went after Xander Zayas on social media today, minimizing his winning the vacant WBO junior middleweight title against Jorge Garcia last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Favoritism in Zayas\u2019 Ranking<\/p>\n
Ortiz Jr. says Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) getting the opportunity to fight for the vacant WBO 154-lb belt was a \u201cgift,\u2019 and that he believes he was shown favoritism. Vergil Jr. stated that it was as if the title was \u201cbeing held for somebody,\u201d meaning Xander.<\/p>\n
Zayas\u2019 Unearned #1 Rank<\/p>\n
Slawa Spomer: Who is this guy?
\nDamian Sosa: Another obscure fighter
\nPatrick Teixeira: Journeyman
\nJorge Fortea: Another unknown<\/p>\n
Presumably, these are the wins that the WBO based their decision on to give Xander Zayas his #1 ranking at 154. How do you not look at that as favoritism being shown? Where is the quality in that four-fighter group? Zayas should have had to beat someone like Israil Madrimov or Erickson Lubin to earn the #1 ranking.<\/p>\n
Fans thought it was odd that the flawed Jorge Garcia was elevated to the #2 spot with the WBO and placed ahead of arguably far more talented Israil Madrimov, Erickson Lubin, and Serhii Bohachuk in the rankings. They disagreed that Garcia should have been moved to #2, and they equally felt that Xander Zayas didn\u2019t belong at the #1 spot, given his weak resume.<\/p>\n
Vergil Jr. let Zander know that he\u2019s proven more than he has with the wins on his resume. Even though he hasn\u2019t won a world title, he\u2019s beaten better fighters than Zayas.<\/p>\n
Ortiz Jr. Claims Superiority<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve definitely proved more than you have. I\u2019ve beaten several fighters who\u2019ve become world champions,\u201d said Ortiz Jr.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not surprising that Ortiz Jr. is annoyed at seeing Xander getting put into a perfect position to have a world title handed to him on a silver platter. How could Zayas not succeed, given that he was vaulted to the #1 ranking with the WBO and faced a weak opponent for the vacant 154-lb belt?<\/p>\n
The WBO could have ranked Madrimov or Lubin at #2. Instead, they chose Jorge Garcia. As for the fight itself, some fans felt the referee took a casual approach to Zayas\u2019 constant holding, which was beyond excessive. There should have been point deductions.<\/p>\n
Keep all those excuses to yourself brother, talk to me when you become a world champion. https:\/\/t.co\/ibfn32tbCt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Xander Zayas (@XanderZayas) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n