“The pressing issue is that there was some drama this morning around the length of the beard that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fights with. There was a request by Xander Zayas’ team that Boots trim his beard going into this fight on Saturday night,” DAZN commentator Chris Mannix said.
Ennis was initially unwilling to make the change, but the commission ultimately ruled that a slight trim would be required before he enters the ring.
“Boots politely declined that request, but the New York Commission came in and said he does need to trim his beard down a little bit. I talked to Bozy Ennis, the father and trainer, who said it’s not a big deal. It’s just a small amount, but there will be a little bit of reduction in that beard when Boots takes on Xander Zayas on Saturday night.”
The adjustment is not expected to affect the bout itself. Ennis weighed 153 pounds for his first world title fight at 154 pounds, while Zayas came in slightly heavier at 153.8 pounds. The unbeaten rivals meet Saturday night with Zayas’ WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles on the line.
🚨 Jaron Ennis will have to trim his beard! 🚨
🎟️ Buy Zayas vs Ennis HERE –> https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#ZayasEnnis | June 27 | Live exclusively on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/z7aCBpBf5D
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 26, 2026


