Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou are doing anything but that in their first bouts as world title beltholders.

They will go from sparring against each other to meeting in a 154-pound unification clash on Saturday at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan on Top Rank Classics. Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) holds the WBO title, while Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) is the WBA titlist. 

“Everyone knows we sparred, but I don’t put too much focus on it,” Baraou said at the final press conference on Thursday. “I spar to learn. When we sparred, it was always good work, but a fight is different. Gloves are different, no headgear, it’s just me and him in the ring with no helping hand. It’s going to be way different than any sparring. I’m focused on this fight, and I’m looking forward to it.”

For Zayas, 23, it’ll be his first bout in his hometown and second overall in Puerto Rico. 

“I’m expecting the best version of Abass Baraou,” he said. “I’m expecting something I haven’t seen before. We sparred almost two years ago, but he’s a champion now and we both have grown and learned. We've also experienced different things. 

"I’m expecting the best version of him because he’s going to get the best version of me.”

Zayas versus Baraou is the second unification bout to take place in Puerto Rico. Ivan Calderon and Mexico's Giovani Segura met in the only other unification clash to take place there, with the latter scoring an eighth-round KO against the home fighter in 2010.

Baraou, 31, won the interim WBA 154-pound title with a thrilling unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Yoenis Tellez on Aug. 23 in Orlando. With the fight seemingly still up for grabs, Baraou dropped Tellez with 10 seconds left to leave no doubt he had pulled off the upset. 

The German champion was elevated to full titlist when Terence Crawford vacated the belt on Sept. 13. 

"Winning the title was amazing,” Baraou said. “It was one of my favorite moments so far. I worked so hard for this moment. It was hard to get there. Securing that win opened up bigger opportunities. ... I’ve come to Puerto Rico to put it all on the line.”

Zayas won the vacant WBO title with a one-sided unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia on July 26 in New York. The victory made him the youngest world champion in boxing at the time. 

With a win on Saturday, Zayas would be the youngest unified champion in boxing. 

“This is what I have been working for since I was 5 years old," he said. "[Eighteen] years as a fighter, seven as a pro. I got a world title in my last fight at 23. I’m ready to become a unified world champion and to keep making history. 

"This is the biggest moment of my life. I deserve to be here. I worked hard to be here. This is where I belong.”