BoxRec

Jaron Ennis Explains How He, Not Xander Zayas, Insisted On Their Fight

Jaron “Boots” Ennis finally landed the big fight he has long sought.

Ennis will challenge WBA and WBO 154-pound champion Xander Zayas on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. While Zayas might represent the biggest challenge Ennis has faced in his career, the former Ring/IBF/WBA welterweight champ believes the San Juan, Puerto Rico, native is another stop on his path to taking over junior middleweight.

“My main goal right now is Xander Zayas,” Ennis said during an episode of “Inside The Ring,” which premiered Monday on DAZN. “I’m not worried about nobody else right now. After I’m victorious on June 27 and become unified champion at 154, bring them on. After this fight, I’m going to continue to show you why I’m the best in the world and why I am really like that. I’m going to make everything easy.”

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC) has only fought once at 154 pounds, stopping Uisma Lima in the first round October 11 in Ennis’ hometown of Philadelphia. The 28-year-old Ennis appeared primed for a fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. this spring after they went face-to-face following Ortiz’s second-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in November.

Legal issues between Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs), The Ring’s No. 1-ranked junior middleweight, and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, led to the fight falling through. Ennis, ranked fifth by The Ring, then pivoted to a bout against Zayas, which will headline a card streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and as part of the monthly DAZN Ultimate plan.

Ennis said he put the pressure on his promoter, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, to make the fight happen.

“He ain’t choose to fight me,“ Ennis said of Zayas. “I told Eddie to go get him after negotiations with Ortiz fell through. I told Eddie and my team, ‘Y’all go get Zayas next for me if we can’t get Ortiz.’ That’s what he did for me. I appreciate [Zayas] for accepting this fight because he didn’t have to take this fight. He could have fought somebody else.”

Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), The Ring’s third-ranked contender for a vacant championship, won the then-vacant WBO title with a unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia Perez on July 26 in New York. The 23-year-old Zayas then added the WBA belt to his collection with a split-decision win against Abass Baraou in a unification bout January 31 in San Juan.

One can make a compelling case that the 154-pound division is the best in boxing, with Ennis, Zayas, Ortiz and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora leading the way, and numerous intriguing contenders. When the dust settles, Ennis sees himself as the one standing tall and cementing himself as one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound in the world.

“I’m ready to take over the division one by one,” Ennis said. “I'm going to knock them down one by one and show the world why I’m the best. This is my division, and hopefully, everybody continues to want to fight each other, especially after I'm victorious on June 27. I’m going back-to-back-to-back-to-back. I will be undisputed at 154, so bring them all on.”

Jaron Ennis Explains How He, Not Xander Zayas, Insisted On Fighting

Jaron “Boots” Ennis finally landed the big fight he has long sought.

Ennis will challenge WBA and WBO 154-pound champion Xander Zayas on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. While Zayas might represent the biggest challenge Ennis has faced in his career, the former Ring/IBF/WBA welterweight champ believes the San Juan, Puerto Rico, native is another stop on his path to taking over junior middleweight.

“My main goal right now is Xander Zayas,” Ennis said during an episode of “Inside The Ring,” which premiered Monday on DAZN. “I’m not worried about nobody else right now. After I’m victorious on June 27 and become unified champion at 154, bring them on. After this fight, I’m going to continue to show you why I’m the best in the world and why I am really like that. I’m going to make everything easy.”

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC) has only fought once at 154 pounds, stopping Uisma Lima in the first round October 11 in Ennis’ hometown of Philadelphia. The 28-year-old Ennis appeared primed for a fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. this spring after they went face-to-face following Ortiz’s second-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin in November.

Legal issues between Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs), The Ring’s No. 1-ranked junior middleweight, and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, led to the fight falling through. Ennis, ranked fifth by The Ring, then pivoted to a bout against Zayas, which will headline a card streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and as part of the monthly DAZN Ultimate plan.

Ennis said he put the pressure on his promoter, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, to make the fight happen.

“He ain’t choose to fight me,“ Ennis said of Zayas. “I told Eddie to go get him after negotiations with Ortiz fell through. I told Eddie and my team, ‘Y’all go get Zayas next for me if we can’t get Ortiz.’ That’s what he did for me. I appreciate [Zayas] for accepting this fight because he didn’t have to take this fight. He could have fought somebody else.”

Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), The Ring’s third-ranked contender for a vacant championship, won the then-vacant WBO title with a unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia Perez on July 26 in New York. The 23-year-old Zayas then added the WBA belt to his collection with a split-decision win against Abass Baraou in a unification bout January 31 in San Juan.

One can make a compelling case that the 154-pound division is the best in boxing, with Ennis, Zayas, Ortiz and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora leading the way, and numerous intriguing contenders. When the dust settles, Ennis sees himself as the one standing tall and cementing himself as one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound in the world.

“I’m ready to take over the division one by one,” Ennis said. “I'm going to knock them down one by one and show the world why I’m the best. This is my division, and hopefully, everybody continues to want to fight each other, especially after I'm victorious on June 27. I’m going back-to-back-to-back-to-back. I will be undisputed at 154, so bring them all on.”

Vargas-Mills, Whittaker-Rivera and Tucker-Cedeno join Zayas-Ennis bill

Three fights have been added to the Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis bill June 27, Matchroom and Top Rank jointly announced Tuesday.

Emiliano Vargas, The Ring's 2025 “Prospect of the Year,” will return in the chief support against New York's Bryce Mills (22-1, 9 KOs) as part of the DAZN PPV coverage preceding Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis in two months' time at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The 22-year-old Vargas, who stopped Agustin Quintana on the Emanuel Navarrete-Eduardo Nunez show February 28, has been vocal about stepping up toward championship level at junior welterweight.

He'll defend his regional titles against former Muay Thai and kickboxing amateur Mills, who won one himself with a fourth-round knockout of Tobias Green on the Elijah Pierce-Lorenzo Parra undercard that same night, February 28.

Mills will fight for the third time in four months when he faces Vargas. He stopped Julio Rosa after the third round Saturday night in Rochester, New York, to ensure his place in this fight with Vargas.

Ben Whittaker's long-awaited U.S. debut will also come on the Zayas-Ennis undercard against Richard Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs), as the light heavyweight talent seeks to make waves abroad. Rivera will end a 17-month layoff against the electric Brit, 28, who topped the bill on short-notice and needed less than a round to stop Braian Suarez on April 18 in Liverpool, England.

Rivera's highest-profile night came in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah four years ago, narrowly losing a 10-round split decision at cruiserweight against former WBC champion Badou Jack on the Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk II undercard.

New York middleweight contender Jahi Tucker (16-1-1, 7 KOs) will look for a statement on home soil when facing Euri Cedeno, who scored a shutout win over Etoundi William on the Zayas-Abass Baraou undercard January 31.

Cedeno, the WBA's No. 5-rated contender for Erislandy Lara's title, is now presented with a career-best opportunity to showcase his skills nearer the upper echelons of a division in need of renewed energy. Tucker sits No. 10 with the IBF, which has ordered Etinosa Oliha-Aaron McKenna for its vacant 160-pound strap.

Emiliano Vargas, Ben Whittaker & Jahi Tucker lead Zayas vs Ennis undercard

Three bouts have been confirmed for the Zayas vs Ennis undercard, as Emiliano Vargas faces Bryce Mills, Ben Whittaker takes on Richard Rivera, and Jahi Tucker meets Euri Cedeno. The event takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, June 27.

The DAZN-streamed card is promoted by Top Rank in collaboration with Matchroom Boxing. Tickets for the event are on sale via Ticketmaster.

Emiliano Vargas (17-0, 14 KOs) of Oxnard, California, defends his NABF, WBC USA Silver, and WBO Latino titles against Bryce Mills (22-1, 9 KOs) of Syracuse, New York, in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

- Vargas, 22, won his previous bout in February by ninth-round RTD against Agustin Ezequiel Quintana on the undercard of Navarrete vs Nunez.

- Mills, 24, is fresh off a win by third-round RTD against Julio Rosa in April.

Ben Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KOs) defends his WBC Silver title against Richard Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight bout.

- British contender Whittaker, 28, knocked out Braian Suarez in the first round of their short-notice main event bout in mid-April.

- Rivera, 35, of Hartford, Connecticut, has not fought since last January, when he knocked out Roger Guerrero in the second round to secure his second consecutive win.

Jahi Tucker (16-1-1, 7 KOs) and Euri Cedeno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) clash in a 10-round bout for the vacant IBF North American, WBC USA, and WBO NABO middleweight titles.

- Tucker, 23, of Queens, New York, is coming off a sixth-round TKO victory over Sona Akale in February.

- Dominican southpaw Cedeno, 26, earned a unanimous decision over Etoundi Michel William in January.

In the main event, Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) defends his unified WBA and WBO super welterweight titles against Philadelphia’s former unified welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs).

The prelims are expected to be announced shortly.

Jaron Ennis Drops Interim Belt To Secure Xander Zayas Unification Fight June 27

Ennis relinquished the WBA interim junior middleweight belt to become Xander Zayas’ mandatory challenger and upgrade the Brooklyn fight into a two-belt unification.

Jaron Ennis is giving up his WBA interim junior middleweight belt to secure a full unification fight against Xander Zayas on June 27 in Brooklyn. The move upgrades the matchup into a fight for Zayas’ WBA and WBO titles while positioning Ennis as the WBO mandatory challenger at 154 pounds.

The maneuver is unusual because fighters normally hold onto interim belts as protection while pursuing bigger opportunities. Ennis is doing the opposite. By dropping the WBA interim title, he gains stronger positioning within the WBO and upgrades the commercial value of the Zayas fight at the same time.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) moved up to junior middleweight after becoming one of the top names at welterweight. The Philadelphia native has been searching for a defining fight since changing divisions, and Zayas now gives him a direct route into the center of the 154-pound division.

Ennis is essentially giving up an accessory belt for a cleaner promotional angle, as interim titles carry little importance once established stars enter unification fights.

Zayas (23-0, 14 KOs), 23, has quickly become one of boxing’s youngest two-belt champions. A victory over Ennis would immediately strengthen his standing in a division packed with established contenders and younger fighters trying to take control after recent movement at the top of the weight class.

The fight is expected to headline a DAZN pay-per-view card in Brooklyn.

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis surrenders WBA secondary belt to fight for unified titles

Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ push to stand as a unified champion in two weight classes within 15 months has moved him to relinquish his WBA interim 154lbs belt.

Boxing Scene learned that Ennis, 35-0 (31KOs), will surrender the secondary title so he can shoot to number one and mandatory-challenger position with the WBO, which previously kept him unranked because it does not recognize other sanctioning bodies’ interim or secondary titles.

The WBO requires contenders to be ranked in its top 15 in order to capture a belt from the Puerto Rico-based sanctioning body.

Ennis on June 27 at Barclays Center in New York will meet unbeaten WBO and WBA 154lbs champion Xander Zayas, 23-0 (13KOs), of Puerto Rico on a DAZN pay-per-view.

The Philadelphia fighter previously captured the WBA and IBF welterweight belts in April 2025 by defeating Eimantas Stanionis, and after a contractual dispute between WBC interim 154lbs champion Vergil Ortiz Jnr and his promoter Golden Boy scuttled plans for Ortiz-Ennis, the 28-year-old Ennis and Zayas, 23, turned to each other.

Zayas won his WBO belt by defeating Mexico’s Jorge Garcia Perez via unanimous decision, then wrested the WBA belt from Germany’s Abass Baraou by split decision on January 31.

Jaron Ennis will ‘announce himself to the world against Xander Zayas’

The New York fight against Xander Zayas is the one that could turn Philadelphia star Jaron “Boots” Ennis into America’s next big star.

Asked whether it will prove to be the launchpad for the 35-0 (31 KOs) Boots to crossover in America, promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Absolutely.

"I mean, I think Boots is pound-for-pound number one in waiting.

“But Xander is a very good fighter. And this is where we find out. I mean, we saw it against [Eimantas] Stanionis, the levels.”

Ennis stopped Stanionis last April in Atlantic City in six rounds.

Of course, the fight to be made was Ennis and Vergil Ortiz, but the protracted negotiations wound up with Ortiz at legal odds with his promoter, Golden Boy.

In stepped Top Rank’s Zayas for a Brooklyn blockbuster bout at the Barclays Center on June 27.

“I never expected Xander to take the fight, if I’m honest,” Hearn added. “Because he’s a unified world champion. Boots is not a champion. I think he [Boots]’s the best fighter in the division. But Xander’s got some balls on him. And Xander’s a competitor and Xander wants to be in the biggest fights. So, massive credit and respect to him. And when the Ortiz fight fell apart, Sean Palmer, who works with us, he was dealing with Top Rank and he said, ‘Yeah, I think we've got a good chance of making the Xander fight.’

‘No chance.’

“And we got it over the line. So, massive respect to both. I think it’s the Fight of the Year.”

He also believes Boots could be tested more than he has been so far in his career.

“Xander’s better than Stanionis. And Xander's bigger than Stanionis. And Xander’s more confident than Stanionis.

“But this is the kind of occasion, the kind of platform, the kind of moment, where if you’re special, you will announce yourself to the world. And that is what I expect from Jaron.”

Eddie Hearn Says Fans Aren’t Realizing How Good Ben Whittaker Is

Ben Whittaker’s move into the American market is becoming one of Matchroom’s bigger bets, and Eddie Hearn says fans still are not fully recognizing how quickly the Olympic silver medalist is improving.

“I think one thing that people aren’t necessarily really sort of absorbing is how good Ben Whittaker is and how much he’s improving, because I think people just think he’s rolling through people. But the Suarez win was a really good win, especially in that fashion,” said Hearn to Boxing Scene.

The Matchroom promoter pointed out that while Whittaker’s flashy style and confident persona often grab headlines, there is a tendency to overlook the technical growth he continues to show inside the ring. Hearn believes the victory over Suarez demonstrated a more composed and effective side of Whittaker, highlighting his ability to adapt and finish fights convincingly.

“And this fight against [Richard] Rivera, not an easy fight. He’s a decent, decent fighter. I think that whole week, that whole build up, the ring walk, the swag, everything, it’s going to grab everyone’s attention.”

Whittaker’s clash with Rivera is expected to provide a sterner test than some of his previous outings, giving fans a clearer picture of his current level against a solid and experienced opponent. Hearn also emphasized that the occasion itself — from fight week to the spectacle of the ring walk — will be crucial in building Whittaker’s profile in a new market.

Hearn made the comments while discussing Whittaker’s upcoming U.S. appearance and what Matchroom expects the unbeaten light heavyweight to gain from fighting in front of an American audience.

“I mean, you’ve got Emiliano Vargas and Ben Whittaker on that card. It’s really like two of the hottest stars right now, young stars coming through in their respective market. So, I think it’s going to be a big moment for him,” said Hearn.

The card represents a strategic move by Matchroom to showcase emerging talent to a wider audience, pairing Whittaker with another rising name in Vargas. Hearn believes that exposure to the U.S. market could accelerate Whittaker’s rise, turning him from a domestic attraction into a global name if he delivers a standout performance.

“And, you know, after this, he’ll be back around October time, headlining in Birmingham.”

Looking ahead, Matchroom plans to bring Whittaker back to the UK later in the year, where he is expected to headline on home soil. This approach reflects a balance between international exposure and maintaining his growing fanbase in Britain.

Hearn also suggested that Whittaker is already being linked to bigger names following Zac Chelli’s upset win over David Morrell.

“Yeah, I mean, I guess you have to put Zac in the mix for all those fights. He’s done brilliantly well, and he’s going to want big fights,” said Hearn.

With the light heavyweight division continuing to shift, potential matchups for Whittaker could quickly become more significant. Performances over the next few fights — particularly in the U.S. — could determine how soon he is matched with top-level opposition.

‘Nothing changes’: Watch Xander Zayas go through camp as he prepares for Boots Ennis showdown

Xander Zayas puts in the work behind the scenes as he gets set to defend his belts against Boots Ennis.



With a big super welterweight clash on the schedule for later this month when Xander Zayas defends his world titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on June 27, Matchroom Boxing takes fans behind the scenes of Zayas in training camp as he physically and mentally prepares himself for the impending battle.

“Same focus, same hunger, same dedication, same everything,” Zayas said of training camp. “Nothing changes. It’s another fight, most important fight of my career. But every fight is important. Nothing different. I got to keep being who I am, being true to myself, know what works for me, exploit it.

“That’s what it comes down to. I know who I am, I know what I put myself through every camp and I know put the shifts when I need to put the shifts, so whatever he says won’t affect me because I’ve been here before. I’ve been here since I was 16 years old.”

Zayas hasn’t for one second expressed any doubts that he’s not going to come through against Boots, but he says he’s still taking him extremely seriously as he know he’s a serious contender in this fight.

“He’s the hardest opponent in my career,” Zayas says. “Every fight was a step into that direction and obviously facing somebody like Boots, former world champion coming up to a new weight class and wanting to be the king of the weight class is obviously challenging because you know he’s coming with his best. But you got to expect the best out of me and I promise it’s going to bring the best version out of Xander Zayas.”

You can watch the full segment of Zayas in training camp in the link at the top!

Jaron Ennis ready to make dreams come true, starting with Xander Zayas

Jaron Ennis said he’s ready to silence the doubters when he faces Xander Zayas in Brooklyn on June 27.

Boots and Zayas meet in an attractive 154lbs clash with the gifted 28-year-old Philadelphian ready to make his assault on the pound-for-pound rankings.

Now 35-0 (31 KOs), Ennis is coming off a first-round stoppage of Uisma Lima while unified champion Zayas, 23-0 (13 KOs), added the WBA title to his WBO belt with a split decision win over Abass Baraou in January.

It is a huge fight at the Barclays Center.

In Matchroom’s newly-released Day In The Life YouTube film documenting Ennis’ build-up, Boots said: “I’m excited to fight a guy who’s got two belts. I’m excited to fight one of the top guys in the division. I’m ready to shut everybody up.

“I feel like the winner of the fight is the man, in any division. I feel like I’m taking over boxing and on June 27th you will hear the words ‘and the new…’”

Boots moved up to 154 and debuted against Lima in October after a commanding victory over Eimantas Stanionis last April.

“Shoutout to 154, I love being at this weight,” Ennis said. “I can eat whatever I want. I definitely feel better at this weight. I’m way more comfortable. I can do whatever I want. I expect a knockout. A big knockout. Whatever he thinks he does, I do way better. He can’t jab better than me, he’s not faster than me, he’s not slicker than me, he’s not stronger than me, his defense is not better than mine, his footwork is not better than mine. There’s levels. I’m the best in the world.”

Ennis said it was family, friends and team that helped keep him driven through camp.

“I want to be generational and carry the torch… that drives me every day,” he added. “This is what I’ve been waiting for all my life. Since I was an amateur. I always wanted to turn pro. Since I was 15, my goal was to turn pro and win every belt, every weight division I’m in… I’m going to make those dreams come true.”

Father and trainer Bozy Ennis spoke of his respect for Zayas when he said: “I like Xander as a fighter. A as fighter, he’s a good fighter. To me, he’s got a good jab, he can punch, he can box, and he’s got this [heart].”

Tucker: Taking Fight With Hernandez 'Was A Lose-Lose Situation'

Jahi Tucker initially accepted a fight against middleweight “boogeyman” Yoenli Hernandez because his handlers were told the WBA interim title would be at stake.

Once Tucker learned they’d fight to become the No. 1 challenger for Erislandy Lara’s WBA belt, not for the interim championship, he and his team turned down that opportunity on the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman undercard March 28 in Las Vegas. Tucker took a tune-up fight instead, which resulted in a sixth-round stoppage of Sona Akale on February 28.

The Brooklyn native has since accepted another high-stakes fight against unbeaten opponent, Dominican contender Euri Cedeno, on the Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis undercard June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Tucker (16-1-1, 7 KOs) still wants to face Cuba’s Hernandez (10-0, 9 KOs), The Ring’s No. 2 contender for a vacant championship, but he believes he should earn more than the $100,000 purse he was offered and that a title should be at stake.

“For a fight with [Hernandez],” Tucker told The Ring, “I wouldn’t have got the respect that I wanted, I wouldn’t have got the money that I wanted and I wouldn’t have got the belt to show for it. I felt like it was a lose-lose situation.”

The prideful Tucker, who is not ranked among The Ring’s top 10, acknowledged he reached that conclusion thanks to those that advise him.

“We duck no smoke, bro – never have, never will,” Tucker said. “And this is one of those things where I’ve had to get smarter, because I still was down to take the fight. But my advisers, and luckily I’ve got a good team around me, and my dad sat me down and said, ‘Hey Jahi, business-wise, this is what you have to do.’ They showed me from a grown man’s perspective, like, ‘Look at it. Don’t just get blinded by the smoke in your face. Look at it, bro.’ ”

Defeating Cedeno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) on this DAZN Pay-Per-View/DAZN Ultimate show would enhance Tucker’s chances of fighting for a middleweight title.

Three regional championships are at stake and the winner will therefore move up in the IBF, WBC and WBO ratings. The IBF ranks Tucker ninth and Cedeno 10th, the WBO lists Cedeno seventh and Tucker at No. 13 and neither fighter is in the WBC’s top 15.

Tucker, 23, has won six straight bouts since he lost an eight-round majority decision to Nicklaus Flaz (then 10-2) and settled for an eight-round majority draw with Francisco Veron (then 3-0) in back-to-back bouts in 2023.

In hindsight, Tucker is thankful that he didn’t fight Hernandez, who instead became the first fighter to stop longtime contender Terrell Gausha (24-6-1, 12 KOs) in the fourth round March 28.

“The money didn’t make sense,” Tucker said. “At first, I accepted the fight. They offered me [$100,000], plus the interim belt. So, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ll take that. I get a interim belt and that strengthens my case.’ Beat the boogeyman guy who they’ve been raving about. You feel me? That strengthens my case, for real. But then, what happens is, they say, ‘Jahi, here’s what we can do. We’re gonna take the interim belt off the table. We’re gonna keep the same [purse of $100,000], but we’re taking the interim belt off the table and you’re fighting for the No. 1 contender spot.’ And in my brain, I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going into PBC [territory] to go fight him. They’re taking the belt off the line. I can get [$100,000] elsewhere.’

“That No. 1 contender spot didn’t entice me to take that fight. Especially when I see a lotta these guys who get to fight guys who [aren’t as good as Hernandez]. A fight like me and [Hernandez], that’s a championship-worthy fight, easily. I’m not gonna fight a championship-worthy fight to be called a number one contender and then have to fight another guy to prove myself again. Even this [Cedeno] fight, the main reason I took this fight is like, ‘Yo, this is my shot. This is my hometown, Brooklyn. I could earn something here.’ And I know I could get him outta there. You feel me? It’s just a matter of just doing it now.”

‘Them belts are coming back to Philadelphia’: Boots Ennis eager to become unified champion once again

Boots Ennis gets a chance to become a unified titleholder in a second weight class later this month when he takes on Xander Zayas.



Check out some highlighted excerpts below with the full video in the link above.

Boots on his sparring experience with Canelo
“Great work. I was picking his brain and things like that, just getting better. Sparring is sparring, just working on things and just trying to better myself…I don’t speak on sparring, I’m not one of them type of guys. As long as I’m doing the things I’m supposed to be doing and working on the things I’m supposed to be working on, all that sparring — who did this, who did that — it don’t really mean nothing to me…Sparring is for you to physically work on stuff.”

On how he would categorize himself as a fighter
“I’m a variety. I can do it all. I can do whatever, I do what I want. I feel like I’m a boxer-puncher, I can walk people down, I can do inside fighting, outside fighting, mid-range — whatever you want, I can do it and I got the IQ to do it.”

On what it means to be a ‘Philly fighter’
“It means a lot to put the city on my back and take the legacy to the next level and just continue to rise on different occasions…When it comes to boxing, I feel like we got the best fighters. Philly got so many good fighters, great fighters, they just get sidetracked from the streets and the girls, this, that and the third. There’s so much unseen talent that you guys don’t see.”

On how he rates Xander Zayas as an opponent to Vergil Ortiz
“Xander a solid fighter. I think he got a little bit more tools than Ortiz, maybe. He can box a little better but I feel like Vergil is somewhat the better fighter…Xander is not a bad fighter, he solid. He unified champ, you can’t take nothing away from him. But on fight night them belts are coming back to Philadelphia, straight like that.”

Oh...okay...looks like I WON'T be covering #ZayasEnnis from inside the Barclays next weekend as I've been disapproved by @MatchroomBoxing . Definitely disappointing. @boxingwriters

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jun 2026, 13:01 Oh...okay...looks like I WON'T be covering #ZayasEnnis from inside the Barclays next weekend as I've been disapproved by @MatchroomBoxing . Definitely disappointing. @boxingwriters

Hang on, is this you or are you just reposting this?

Seriously I have never really rated Zayas.

I just think he's part of the East Coast Boxing Medias desperate for the next great Puerto Rican fighter.

I think Boots is a better boxer & puncher than him & I would probably rate him in the 6-10 range at 154.

But I am really impressed that he's gone straight for unifications & also then taken this fight.

He could have just chilled in a few easy defences in New York but he's going all in.

He's earnt my respect. I still think Boots stops him (6-9) but I am hoping he goes the distance in a war now. I love his attitude.

Taansend wrote: ↑21 Jun 2026, 00:49

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jun 2026, 13:01 Oh...okay...looks like I WON'T be covering #ZayasEnnis from inside the Barclays next weekend as I've been disapproved by @MatchroomBoxing . Definitely disappointing. @boxingwriters

Hang on, is this you or are you just reposting this?

No I’m just reposting.

Taansend wrote: ↑21 Jun 2026, 00:56 Seriously I have never really rated Zayas.

I just think he's part of the East Coast Boxing Medias desperate for the next great Puerto Rican fighter.

I think Boots is a better boxer & puncher than him & I would probably rate him in the 6-10 range at 154.

But I am really impressed that he's gone straight for unifications & also then taken this fight.

He could have just chilled in a few easy defences in New York but he's going all in.

He's earnt my respect. I still think Boots stops him (6-9) but I am hoping he goes the distance in a war now. I love his attitude.

I also put Zayas in the 6-10 range for SWW and have Ennis in the top 3. I like Zayas' throw-back mentality. He wins the title and, rather than milking it, goes for a unification bout right out of the gate. He wins that one and, rather than sitting on the belts with a series of no-threat defenses, he takes on Ennis. I think this fight will test the mettle of both boxers and each one will come out of it with an even higher profile. I believe Ennis will win it but not without a struggle.

Fight Week!!

Xander Zayas picks holes in Jaron Ennis record, accuses him of 'hiding in Philly'

Unified WBO and WBA world junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas of Puerto Rico says that despite the fact his opponent this weekend, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, is a former world champion gunning for titles in a second weight class, Philadelphia’s Ennis has ducked big fights repeatedly and his record has a lot of “padding.”

Zayas, 23-0 (13 KOs), will defend his two belts against Ennis, 35-0 (31 KOs), in the main event this Saturday, June 27, live on DAZN PPV from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani show, Zayas said of Ennis: “it took him 35 fights to become unified. It took me 23. If you see his first 23 fights, he was fighting guys that were trying to pay child support. I was fighting guys trying to win; trying to get me away from my goals and what I wanted to accomplish… I'm his biggest challenge. He's 28. At 23, what was he doing? Hiding in Philly, not wanting to fight the big fights.

“I believe so,” said Zayas when asked if Ennis’ record is padded. “I only count his last 10 to 11 fights that I can tell you these guys are decent with decent records and good experience.”

"I think I could bully him. I think I will bully him, but that's the way we're supposed to think as fighters, you know? I think I’m better than him and I feel like he thinks he's better than me. And there's only one way to find out Saturday night.”

Zayas says he’s expecting a special night of old-school boxing with a classic atmosphere Saturday.

“Philly fans, you know, they're boisterous. They're loud. But with the Puerto Rican New Yorkers here, it's gonna be crazy. I feel like everybody's so afraid to put their (undefeated) record on the line, or to put their belts on the line. If I want to consider myself the best in the sport, I’ve got to fight the best. I gotta beat the best and to do that is the way to do it.

“I'm ready to go 12 rounds if I need to. I'm ready to take advantage of the opportunities. I already envision all the opportunities I can take advantage of and I visualize them. And I see them every night as I go to sleep, every mistake that I can do; every good thing that I can do. I try to see everything. I try to, you know, play everything out in my head. And sometimes I wake up drenched in sweat because I was literally in the fight in my sleep.”

Like many I’m tipping Ennis because I think he is just better Zayas at this point.
While Ennis is highly regarded, his record isn’t exactly a who’s who list.
This could well be his biggest name opponent too

Going to be some press conferences and face to face before Fridays weigh in.
Lets see what they look like.

zayas is a good, quick boxer. but he doesnt have the fire power or engine to keep jaron the juggernaut off him for long. best scenario for zayas i think is winning a couple rounds but being widely outworked and outpointed. quite possibly ennis could win more convincing than that,he's just too good

id think ennis would beat vergil ortiz too, but ortiz has a lot more punch than zayas and that would interest me.. also fundora would be a funny fight, two sluggers, but almost a foot difference between them