German super welterweight contender Abass Baraou has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank following his narrow split-decision defeat to Xander Zayas. The 31-year-old will make his promotional debut against Giovani Santillan in a 10-round main event on 11 September in Oceanside, California.
Baraou, who holds a professional record of 17 wins and two defeats with nine knockouts, built his reputation in the 154-pound weight class across an impressive 12-month run. He originally claimed the WBA interim belt last August by scoring a late knockdown to secure a unanimous decision victory over Yoenis Tellez. After Terence Crawford vacated his belts, Baraou was elevated to full world champion status. That achievement led directly to the unification fight against WBO champion Zayas in January. Despite losing a tight split decision after 12 contested rounds, Baraou proved he belongs among the leading fighters in the division.
Top Rank President Todd duBoef praised the boxer’s credentials when announcing the deal. “Abass Baraou’s recent performances speak for themselves,” duBoef stated. “He defied the odds by dominating Yoenis Tellez for the interim world title, was soon elevated to full champion, and came within a narrow split decision of unifying titles against Xander Zayas in January.”
Top Rank clearly values the technical quality and resilience Baraou brings to their light middleweight roster.
The decision to pair Baraou with Santillan underlines the promotional company’s confidence in his abilities. Rather than entering a low-risk comeback fight, Baraou must perform under main-event pressure on California’s West Coast. Winning in Oceanside would keep him firmly in the picture for world title opportunities. With both Baraou and Zayas now operating under the same promotional umbrella, arranging a secondary championship bout becomes a straightforward process if the German fighter continues his winning form.
