Xander Zayas is daring to be higher as he defends his world titles towards Jaron “Boots” Ennis in an attention grabbing tremendous welterweight conflict this summer time.
The June 27 battle brings collectively one among boxing’s youngest unified champions and a fighter many see because the hardest problem at 154 kilos.
Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) unified the titles in January in Puerto Rico after edging Abass Baraou by break up choice, turning into the youngest unified champion within the sport and the primary Puerto Rican to unify on the weight.
The 23-year-old now heads again to New York for his ninth look within the metropolis, returning lower than a yr after profitable his first world title at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard when he dominated Jorge Garcia to seize the vacant WBO belt.
Zayas Pushing Ahead
Many champions gradual their tempo as soon as they attain the summit. Zayas seems decided to do the other.
After profitable the WBO title and unifying quickly after, the Puerto Rican star is once more stepping straight right into a harmful battle towards a person broadly considered as probably the most formidable opponents at 154 kilos.
“Lengthy earlier than I turned a World champion,” mentioned Zayas. “I all the time sought to face the most important challenges in my division. I’ve by no means shied away from a battle and have all the time been keen to check my abilities towards anybody.
“Now, because the unified champion, I’m able to defend my world titles towards one of many sport’s greatest names. I’ve all the time believed in myself, and on June 27, I’ll proceed to point out the world what is feasible while you dare to be nice!”
Ennis Eyes Instant Affect
For Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), the Brooklyn showdown is a chance to determine himself instantly in a brand new division.
The Philadelphia star unified the welterweight titles in April with a dominant victory over Eimantas Stanionis, including the WBA belt to his IBF crown.
After transferring seven kilos from 147, Ennis wasted little time signaling his intentions by stopping Uisma Lima inside a spherical to say the interim WBA title.
Victory over Zayas would see Ennis change into a unified champion in a second weight class.
It additionally follows the collapse of a beforehand mentioned battle with Vergil Ortiz, leaving Ennis desirous to safe the type of win that strengthens his hand in future negotiations on the weight.
“Time to step and accumulate these belts!” mentioned Ennis. “Knocking them down one after the other. And the brand new!”
Brooklyn Showdown
The battle will happen at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, a venue that has hosted a number of main boxing occasions over the previous decade.
“What a battle!” mentioned Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m thrilled to have the ability to get this battle made for Jaron — that is precisely the type of event that brings the perfect out of a future pound-for-pound primary.
“Boots shone so brightly towards Stanionis in Atlantic Metropolis in his first unification battle, and I count on him to mild up Brooklyn on June 27.
“However Xander is a particular fighter in his personal proper, and big props go to him for desirous to battle the perfect.”
High Rank President Todd duBoef added: “We signed Xander at 16 and have seen him turn into the game’s youngest present unified champion and a budding celebrity.
“Dealing with one of the best has all the time been Xander’s precedence, and ‘Boots’ Ennis offers the subsequent step to show greatness in solely his second title protection.”
The collapse of the Ortiz battle briefly clouded Ennis’ instant plans, however securing a unified champion at 154 kilos retains the division transferring and locations two of its most harmful younger fighters on the identical stage this summer time.
In regards to the Creator
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Learn full bio.
