Puerto Rican boxer Xander Zayas kicked off 2026 with a double achievement, first becoming the unified junior middleweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Abass Baraou on January 31. Just days later, the 23-year-old joined Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show, where he shared the stage with stars like Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga in a viral moment celebrating Puerto Rican culture.

"This was the greatest experience of my entire life," Zayas told ESPN, admitting the Super Bowl performance was more nerve-racking than any prizefight. The boxer revealed he received the halftime offer just two weeks before his title fight, with the condition that he first defeat Baraou. Zayas flew directly from his victory celebration to San Francisco for rehearsals, where he was greeted by Bad Bunny fresh off his Grammy win.

Currently boxing's youngest world champion, Zayas is now targeting a unification bout against IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly for June 13 at Madison Square Garden. "I want all the belts," Zayas declared, comparing his ambition to Thanos collecting Infinity Stones. The back-to-back milestones have propelled Zayas into the global spotlight as he continues building his legacy both inside and outside the ring.