NEW YORK – The only person as happy as Xander Zayas about him becoming a world champion was Bob Arum.

The 93-year-old promoter smiled from ear to ear as Zayas put on a show Saturday night in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. But while Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) was busy celebrating, Arum’s brain was going into overdrive.

He isn’t exactly sure who Zayas could face next, but Arum has chosen the location.

“I don’t know about the opponent,” Arum admitted to The Ring. “But I want to make his first title defense in Puerto Rico this winter.”

Grabbing the WBO junior middleweight title was salient to Zayas’ future plans, but it wasn’t easy. Jorge Garcia, who was The Ring’s No. 9-ranked 154-pounder, left it all out there.

The momentum Garcia gained following his upset win over Charles Conwell on April 19 meant nothing, though, when he faced Zayas. Although he had a few bright spots, Garcia’s rough and tough style didn’t work against the disciplined, technical Zayas.

The Puerto Rican star and newly crowned champion boxed his way to a wide unanimous-decision win over Garcia (33-5, 26 KOs).

Arum has been around the game for almost 60 years, so it takes a lot to impress him. Zayas, 22, still managed to pull that off.

“I thought he was really terrific,” Arum continued. “He fought a very intelligent fight. He was in with a very, very tough Mexican, a real good puncher and he did great.”

As Arum sifts through the names of several contenders or champions for Zayas’ next fight, he paused for a moment as he realized something. In his opinion, no matter who he throws Zayas in with, the result will always be the same.

“I think he’s gonna be champion,” Arum said, “for a long, long time.”