Boxing
Zayas-'Boots', Crocker and Fury: Five things to look out for this week
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Jaron Ennis will hope to steal Xander Zayas' crown and establish himself as one of American boxing's true pound-for-pound stars on Saturday.
Victory for 'Boots' against his super-welterweight rival would earn him a pair of straps and confirm what many believe him to be on the scene.
But his foe will not roll over and make it easy for him, with several pundits suggesting the champion is being unfairly written off for this contest.
The main pair might be the headline attraction this weekend then - but they're far from the only big names in the sport's mix right now too.
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
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Here, DAZN News  looks ahead to the week in boxing and picks out five key stories to keep an eye on over the next seven days.
Boots and Zayas go to war
With the WBA interim strap under his belt, Ennis has been hounding after Zayas ever since Vergil Ortiz Jr. slipped away from him.
A statement victory here would further burnish a reputation that many consider sterling - though the champion disagrees there.
Zayas has been taunting 'Boots' on his record over the build-up - and it seems likely they will only tangle harder from here too.
Will Ortiz steal thunder?
Speaking of Ortiz, talk suggests that the star is on his way to confirming his own return - so could he drop a fight week bombshell?
Plenty of fighters love to get under the skin of their rivals, even when they are not crossing paths, and Ortiz does love the drama.
Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
With Golden Boy Promotions seemingly eyeing a late 2026 return, keep your eyes peeled to see if something concrete emerges.
Will Fury confirm tune-up?
Another week and still no clarity on Tyson Fury's super-bout against Anthony Joshua later this year, though it reportedly is still on track.
The former's second tune-up however still feels like a vague notion at best, despite 'The Gypsy King' suggesting an August date in Dublin.
Plenty of confusion could be mopped up if Fury rubber-stamps his next move. But then again, that has never really been the Briton's style.
Crocker seeks success down under
After promoter Matchroom lost the purse bid, Lewis Crocker has been sent down under to defend his WBC welterweight strap in Brisbane.
Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Home challenger Liam Paro therefore enters as a marginal favourite, with the star seeking success in a second division before his fans.
But Crocker knows a successful first defence would tee up a superb trilogy with Paddy Donovan. He will have every incentive to retain his crown.
Can Opetaia find a path back?
Jai Opetaia started last week stating he could see a path to undisputed cruiserweight glory - but nobody seemed to tell David Benavidez that.
With the latter now eyeing unification against Noel Mikaelian, the Australian only has the IBF strap he was stripped of in theoretical play right now.
A long-mooted bout with Chris Billam-Smith would thrill the Briton. But for Opetaia, he will need to consider what his options are next as well.
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.
