From the opening, Zayas set the conditions. He worked off the forehand, circled from the middle and forced Baraou to sit back behind a high guard. The footwork told early. Zayas touched and moved. Baraou followed and waited. The first four rounds tilted Zayas’ way on activity and accuracy.
Baraou’s right hand started to land in the fifth. It gave him moments. His print seemed busy, but the output lagged. Zayas just stayed out of reach, picking shots and refusing to commit for long exchanges. He mixed head and body and then slipped away before counters arrived.
As the fight wore on, Zayas’ discipline showed. He didn’t chase a finish. He accepted short trades and then recovered. Baraou needed sustained pressure and never found it. The gap grew steadily, lap by lap.
Why the late rounds confirmed it
The ninth brought the heaviest exchanges. Zayas traded, then picked the ropes to avoid the slippery center, a smart adjustment rather than retreat. With time slipping away, Baraou pushed harder. Zayas replied with composure.
The twelfth bore the risk. Zayas stood and traded his man to close the show. He finished bumping, owning the ring and clearing doubt for two judges.
It was Zayas’ first WBO defense and a unification. It seemed deserved. He showed footwork, judgment and the willingness to take a lap when needed. Baraou showed grit and a solid right hand, but lacked the volume to take control.
Zayas leaves as a unified champion at super welterweight. The level looks right. The timing seems right. One scorecard didn’t change that.
Other results:
- Juanmita Lopez Van Jesus def. Goade by unanimous decision (60-53, 60-53, 60-53)
- Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro def. Diuhl Olguin by TKO (R6)
- Yadriel Caban Gerena def. Outcome to Torres by KO (R1)
- Euri Cedeno def. Etoundi Michel William by unanimous decision (100-88, 100-88, 100-88)
- Giovani Santillan def. Courtney Pennington by unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 96-94)
