Boxing
Are the critics wrong? Zayas pushes back on oddsmakers before 'Boots' battle
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - TONIGHT
From the onset of their fight launch, Xander Zayas has heard criticism about jumping into the ring with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis too soon. Eddie Hearn, Ennis’ promoter at Matchroom Boxing, even expressed how surprised he was that a traditionally conventional Top Rank would actually allow a 23-year-old Zayas take the fight.
But yet here we are, as Zayas puts his WBA/WBO super welterweight world titles on the line against Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and live on DAZN PPV, tonight.
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
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Heading into the bout, oddsmakers have Ennis installed as the favorite.
But are critics and betting outfits looking at this all wrong? After all, Zayas is the reigning unified world champion in this fight, not Ennis. Though he counts less experience than Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), who turned 29 on Friday, Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) is more home at 154 pounds, fighting his last 14 bouts at the weight. Meanwhile, Ennis just made his super welterweight debut in October. Zayas expects to be the bigger man in the ring tonight, carrying more pop to his punch.
Throughout this promotion, Zayas has heard all of the noise about taking on the challenge too soon and plans on silencing it with the hush of handing Ennis his first professional loss.
“Only thing I can do and the only thing in my hands is what I do inside that ring, what I [did] in camp and I promise you I’m pushing myself to the very, very limit because this is, I know, the most important fight of my career,” Zayas exclusively told DAZN News during the early buildup to the bout. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to come out victorious. Winners win and I’ve always found a way.
“So, at the end, it doesn’t matter what critics say,” he continued. “At the end, it’s on me. I gotta to go out there and perform the way I’ve been performing my whole career.”
True to his word, Zayas has passed every test he’s faced 23 bouts into his career, steadily plumping his fighting profile along the way.
He energized New York City into his hotbed during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend, defeating battle-tested veteran Patrick Teixeira by unanimous decision in June 2024. Just over a year later at the same Madison Square Garden Theater venue, Zayas, then 22, became the youngest world champion at the time by outpointing Jorge Garcia Perez.
In January, he added the WBA title by edging Abass Baraou via split decision to become the youngest unified world champion in the sport.
Saturday night, his challenge comes in the form of a sound, smooth Ennis, who was a former unified welterweight world champion before moving up to make his presence felt at 154 pounds. Ennis bundles sharp, pot-shotting accuracy with potent power in both hands on offense, with subtle slips and evasive movements defensively.
Nobody has been able to surmount the matrix of Ennis’ sweet science skills thus far, though Zayas is certainly going to try and believes his size will be vital toward that goal. Seeing Zayas at the press conference dais Thursday at Barclays Center, I thought the Puerto Rican fighter did look a bit emaciated. However, to his credit, he just made weight, tipping the scale Friday at 153.8 pounds.
Afterwards, the shredded champ vowed to DAZN’s Chris Mannix that fans are going to see a “new version” of him that hasn’t been set yet.
Fully expected to rehydrate to being the bigger fighter, Zayas plans to walk ‘Boots’ down and decipher his sweet science sorcery, flipping the narrative entering tonight.
“Once I win June 27, I’m the best 154-pounder in the world — there’s no doubt about it,” Zayas bluntly offered to DAZN News. “There’s no questioning me. There’s no what ifs, I don’t want to hear no buts, I don’t want to hear nothing.
“After I win June 27,” he doubled down on, “I will be the best 154-pounder in the world.”
So, do critics and oddsmakers have this fight pegged all wrong?
Analysis: DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
I think critics, fans and oddsmakers alike are warranted in saying it’s early for a 23-year-old Zayas to jump into the ring with the caliber of fighter like Ennis. Hell, I happen to fall in that group. However, here’s the caveat to that: Just as ‘Boots’ offers Zayas’ steepest challenge yet, the unified super welterweight world champion is the best fighter to oppose Ennis. I strongly believe that cannot be lost on this fight and should not.
Still, I’m OK with Zayas being installed as the underdog, despite him being the champ in this equation. If his unwavering confidence and persistent pressure pay off, he has a chance to prove naysayers wrong. That’s part of what makes boxing beautiful — that chip on the shoulder that could fuel a spirited performance.
That said, I am expecting Ennis’ skills, especially pot-shotting ability to lift him to a points victory, though in a hard-fought contest where Zayas more than proves his mettle. The icy staredowns these fighters had through two press conferences and Friday's weigh-in will end shrouded in respect as aftermath to an exciting fight where 'Boots' superstar liftoff sees motion and Zayas doesn't take a backstep after a solid fight himself.
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.
