“Sparring is sparring,” Zayas said in commentary Box Social. “You can take feedback from that, but the real fight is different.”
The contest will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which gives Zayas a home at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot. Whether that environment proves decisive remains open, especially against a pressure-based opponent like Baraou. Zayas has historically relied on movement, range control and clinch to manage aggressive fighters, an approach that featured strongly in his most recent title win.
In July, Zayas secured the vacant WBO belt with a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Garcia Perez. That fight was characterized by frequent tie-ups and lateral movement, which limited sustained exchanges. While the approach drew mixed reactions from viewers, it aligned with the tactical framework Zayas has used consistently since turning professional.
The question heading into January 31 is how Baraou responds if a similar pattern develops. Zayas described Baraou as an aggressive fighter who is often overlooked due to limited exposure in the United States, while also noting that fame cuts both ways.
“I know what he brings to the table,” Zayas said. “And I know he knows what I bring.”
Baraou enters the fight off a significant win last August, when he defeated Yoenis Tellez by unanimous decision to solidify his WBA title. In that fight, Baraou applied sustained pressure and inside volume and gradually wore down Tellez over twelve rounds.
The winner of the unification will emerge with greater leverage in a crowded junior middleweight division that includes the likes of Jaron Ennis, Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu. How the styles cross on January 31 will likely determine how quickly those options materialize.
