Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia Perez are set – almost – to move forward with the first major title fight of their respective careers.

The two sides have reached an agreement in principle for their ordered vacant WBO junior middleweight title fight, the sanctioning body confirmed on Tuesday. The development came just days after the fight was formally ordered over the weekend.

“The WBO confirms that Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Zanfer Promotions have reached an agreement for the subject matter bout,” WBO president Gustavo Olivieri informed BoxingScene and other media outlets. “Official fight date & venue to be announced.”

Zayas, 21-0 (13 KOs) – a 22-year-old Puerto Rican contender based in South Florida – is promoted by Top Rank. Mexico’s Perez, 33-4 (26 KOs), is represented by Golden Boy Promotions. 

The need for the fight arose shortly after Sebastian Fundora, 22-1-1 (14 KOs), vacated the belt in lieu of moving forward with his ordered mandatory title defense against Zayas. Their fight was ordered shortly after Fundora’s March 22 knockout win over Chordale Booker at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. 

Zayas joined Fundora in the ring that evening to begin the starting point for talks. However, the two sides never came close to reaching terms. 

A purse bid hearing was ordered, but Fundora – who still holds the WBC belt – instead vacated the title in favor of a contractually bound rematch with Australia’s Tim Tszyu, 25-2 (18 KOs). Their second act is scheduled for July 19 at a Las Vegas venue to be determined. 

The conversation then shifted to Zayas and the next-highest-rated available contender.

It proved to be perfect timing for Perez, who is riding an eight-fight win streak. His latest victory was by far the biggest of his career to date, a split decision over Charles Conwell, who had come into their April 19 clash  unbeaten.

A win by Conwell would have left the 2016 U.S. Olympian in prime position to challenge for his first title. 

Even with Perez entering the mix, it still left Golden Boy – which also promotes Conwell – in the conversation.

Zayas was confirmed as the WBO mandatory when the sanctioning body acknowledged that Terence “Bud” Crawford, 41-0 (31 KOs), was moving on – and up in weight – to a superfight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September. Their fight will take place at super middleweight, for Alvarez’s undisputed championship.

That opened the door for Zayas to secure his first major title fight. He previously solidified his place in line with a ninth-round knockout of unbeaten Slawa Somper. Their ESPN-aired bout took place on February 14 from Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City.

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.