Jaron “Boots” Ennis says he is ready to prove he belongs at the top of boxing when he faces Xander Zayas on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Ennis meets unified junior middleweight champion Zayas in a major 154lbs fight, with the WBA and WBO titles in play. Boots moved up to the division last year and says the extra weight has already brought out a better version of him.
“I love being at this weight,” Ennis said. “I definitely feel better at this weight. I’m way more comfortable.”
The Philadelphian is not short on confidence. He expects a knockout and believes Zayas cannot match him in any major area. “He can’t jab better than me, he’s not faster than me, he’s not slicker than me, he’s not stronger than me,” Ennis said. “There’s levels. I’m the best in the world.”
Zayas enters unbeaten and already holds two belts at 154lbs, making this the kind of fight Ennis says he has wanted since his amateur days. “I’m excited to fight a guy who’s got two belts,” he said. “I’m ready to shut everybody up.”
Bozy Ennis also gave Zayas respect, calling him a good fighter with a jab, power, boxing ability and heart. But Team Ennis clearly believes June 27 is the night Boots turns ambition into hardware.
Image Credit: Sky Sports