Unified super welterweight champion Xander Zayas believes he has identified a vulnerability in Jaron “Boots” Ennis ahead of their June 27 showdown at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
While many observers have pointed to Ennis’ athleticism as a major advantage heading into the fight, Zayas dismissed that narrative and argued that his own skill set compares favorably to the Philadelphia native’s.
“Athleticism. Well, I do the same things he does. I take angles. The only thing I don’t do that he does is fight lefty, but other than that, I take angles. I’m way better than him, movement-wise. My jab is good. My combinations, my counter punching. I mean, there’s athleticism there, you know? You don’t just do that fluidly by not being athletic,” Zayas told Brian Custer on his channel.
When asked what he views as Ennis’ biggest weakness, Zayas didn’t hesitate.
“His feet. He’s flatfooted and [he doesn’t like getting hit to the] body that much. So, we’ll see how that goes,” Zayas said
Ennis enters the contest as the betting favorite despite Zayas holding the WBA and WBO titles at 154 pounds. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican champion has embraced the underdog role throughout the build-up, insisting that Ennis and others are underestimating him.
The June 27 clash pits two of boxing’s youngest champions against one another in what many view as the most significant fight of either man’s career. For Zayas, it is also an opportunity to prove that his technical ability and ring IQ can neutralize the physical advantages many attribute to Ennis.
If Zayas is correct about Ennis’ susceptibility to body work and issues with foot positioning, fans could see him test that theory early when the opening bell rings in Brooklyn.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Related Boxing News:
Last Updated on 2026/06/15 at 10:34 PM
