Boxing
This ‘funny feeling’ is hitting Eddie Hearn entering Xander Zayas vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - TONIGHT
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Standing in a muggy Gleason’s Gym on a humid summer afternoon, Eddie Hearn wipes the sweat beading on his brow and pats his coiffed hair all in one motion, before leaning in with widened eyes.
Not only does the Matchroom Boxing promoter fully expect Jaron Ennis to exit Barclays Center with Xander Zayas’ unified WBA/WBO super welterweight world titles in tow tonight, but he expects a hallmark performance from ‘Boots’ live on DAZN PPV, too.
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
Relive DAZN FACE OFF here
“Listen, it definitely won’t be easy, but I gotta funny feeling you’re going to see one of the greatest performances Saturday night,” Hearn exclusively told DAZN News without hesitation this past Tuesday. “I almost don’t want to put the pressure on him, but tough, the pressure is on.”
Hearn heard the chatter from Zayas about entering Saturday night as the bigger fighter and how Ennis will get rudely welcomed to 154 pounds with a completely different feeling. But Hearn has unwavering confidence in Ennis’ total sweet science skills, especially his pot-shotting ability.
“When you get in there, it’s very, very different,” Hearn vowed to Zayas. “He’s going to get hit in those first six rounds like he’s never been hit before — with speed, variation, angles and combinations that he’s just not have experienced.”
Hearn believes if Zayas is good enough to weather that storm and walk through that turbulence then the fight could erupt into a war. Though Ennis’ excitement has Hearn thinking his Philadelphia fighter is downloading a transcending performance that would end any resistance, too.
“I’ve never known a guy so excited to fight as ‘Boots’ as in ‘watch what you’re about to see,’” Hearn said. “I’m listening to this guy like ‘f—, this could be frightening what you’re about to see.’”
Will we get a signature performance from ‘Boots?’
Analysis: DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
I think the early stages of Saturday night’s fight will not only be compelling, but telling. If Ennis is able to cleanly pot-shot during the first few rounds, it will indicate a long night ahead for Zayas, and we could very well get the career-defining performance from ‘Boots’ that Hearn expects. So, will it happen? I lean more toward yes than no, as I do expect Ennis to split Zayas’ guard and use his subtle movements in the pocket to pick the unified 154-pound champ apart. However, I also see Zayas providing fighting resistance and using his size to test Ennis in spots he’s never been tested. So, while I don’t expect a blowout for Ennis, I do expect a hard-fought and sound victory.
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
