Jaron Ennis is in hot demand.
The American boxer has long been on the cusp of a breakthrough boxing bout, but Vergil Ortiz’s ongoing legal dispute with Golden Boy Promotions sidelined the super welterweight sensation, and so ‘Boots’ Ennis had to find another challenge.
The unified 154-pound champion Xander Zayas is interested — particularly if it can headline an iconic New York City venue like Madison Square Garden.
Top Rank President Todd DuBoef said Wednesday on The Ariel Helwani Show that the Las Vegas-based fight firm is “absolutely” interested in working with Matchroom to book a bout between Zayas and Boots.
“Yeah, we’re talking” about that fight, he said.
At 23 years old and 23-0, Zayas has been on hot form of late with a decision win over the more-experienced Patrick Teixeira in 2024, a WBO title win over Jorge Garcia Perez in 2025, and then, earlier this year, victory in a unification thriller against Abass Baraou.
Zayas headlined in San Juan, Puerto Rico, against Baraou, and is building a fanbase in New York, too, having fought there for all four of his prior fights.
“I’m not sure Puerto Rico’s the place to do [the Boots fight],” DuBoef said. “In a perfect world, I love New York for that fight but the availability is [difficult].”
“Xander wants the fight.”
DuBoef finished: “We’d love to do the fight, and I know that Matchroom and DAZN would love to see Boots get that fight.”
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