Xander Zayas is set to defend his unified WBO and WBA world super welterweight title against former unified 154-pound champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, things got heated at the press conference; they exchanged words and had to be separated by guards during the face-off. This has already built anticipation among fans, and the whole boxing world has set its eyes on June 27 when they go to war.
Speaking ahead of the bout on FightHype, Zayas addressed Ennis’ reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. He stated that if fans see ‘Boots’ as a boogeyman, he claims he is John Wick.
“I don’t know. To be honest, if he’s the boogeyman, I’m John Wick. It doesn’t matter,” Zayas said.
His comments highlight a fearless approach; he dismisses any narrative that paints Ennis as unbeatable.
“At the end of the day, he’s just another dude just like me.”
The unified super welterweight champion emphasised the physical reality of boxing and made clear that he sees no difference between himself and his opponent inside the ring.
“He’s going to bleed just like I’m going to bleed. He’s going to feel pain just like I’m going to feel pain. It’s fair game.”
Zayas embraces history-making moment ahead of Ennis showdown
Beyond the rivalry, Zayas also spoke about his broader motivation heading into the fight.
“The youngest. I like to make history. I always make history. I always chase history. History chases me.”
The Puerto Rican prospect expressed excitement about the opportunity.
“I’m enjoying every step of it. I’m having fun with it. I’m being happy. My team is happy. My family’s happy. Puerto Rico is happy.”
The 23-year-old added that he is fully locked in and ready for the challenge ahead.
“Man, I’m just excited. June 27 can’t come any faster and I’m ready to take on the world.”
Zayas faced Jorge Garcia Perez in July 2025 for the vacant WBO super welterweight title. He captured the belt with a unanimous decision victory. Later, he faced Abass Baraou on Jan 31 for the unification clash in a hard-fought battle, and he secured a split decision victory.
The win over Baraou marked a significant step in Zayas’ path to becoming the youngest unified champion in boxing history at just 23 years old.
With Zayas showing confidence and Ennis widely regarded as one of the top names in the division, the matchup is generating significant interest. The champion has already vowed to go all out, and ‘Boots’ has also promised fans a knockout. That guarantees entertainment for the boxing fans.
With each passing day, the fight date is coming near, and the excitement to see who comes out on top is growing.
