There's a Brooklyn brawl when Xander Zayas defends his WBA and WBO super-welterweight title against former welterweight king Jaron Ennis.
Ennis is bidding to become a two-weight world champion and the betting anticipates that Boots will realise his dream, with the Philadelphia fighter a 2/11 on the to win the fight market.
Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis Tips Preview
Ennis has won all of his 35 career bouts and 31 of Boots' victories have come by stoppage.
The former IBF welterweight champion is undoubtedly a top-level performer and the 29-year-old now has his sights set on the 154lbs ranks.
There is just one piece of the jigsaw missing for Ennis.
Yes, he is a former world champion, an unbeaten fighter, he boasts a fearsome knockout percentage, but the Philadelphia boxer lacks a standout opponent on his record.
Title defence successes against Uisma Lima, Eimantas Stanionis, Karen Chukhadzhian and David Avanesyan were good efforts, but they are not top-level opponents and there is no blockbuster contest on Ennis' card.
Boots was only elevated to full IBF welterweight champion after beating Roiman Villa in 2023 and even the world title wasn't won in a showreel contest.
It's difficult to know just how good the 29-year-old is without a victory over an elite-level opponent and, while it's often wise to oppose fighters with padded records, Zayas doesn't appear to be good enough to trouble the Philadelphia fighter.
The Puerto Rican has won all of his 23 professional contests and the 23-year-old is a progressive performer.
However, the WBA and WBO super-welterweight king was taken 12 rounds in a closely fought contest against Abass Baraou earlier this year and a repeat of that performance is not going to be enough to beat Boots.
Ennis is 2/11 to become a two-weight world champion in Brooklyn and that looks like an accurate evaluation of the American's chances.
Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis Tale of the Tape
Xander Zayas | Jaron Ennis | |
Record: | 23-0 | 35-0 |
Age: | 23 | 29 |
Birthplace: | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Philadelphia, USA |
Height: | 5′ 10″ | 5′ 10″ |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Win (SD) v Abass Baraou Jan 26 | Win (TKO) v Uisma Lima Nov 25 |
KO%: | 56.52% | 88.57% |
Alias: | Golden Boy | Boots |
Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis Top Tip
Jaron Ennis to win by decision @ 6/4
Ennis is set to become a two-weight world champion in Brooklyn and the question is more how than if.
Boots has stopped 31 of his previous 35 opponents and that's a pretty fearsome knockout record. However, there are very few top-level opponents on the Philadelphia man's record and this may not be a stoppage job for Ennis.
The 29-year-old isn't making a major move up in weight, but he is still stepping up from welterweight to super-welterweight and we are yet to see if the power can be carried up to 154lbs.
Zayas looks short of Boots' level, but the 23-year-old is a young, well-conditioned and strong fighter, who proved his durability in 12-round battles against Abass Baraou and Jorge Garcia Perez.
The Puerto Rican is unlikely to run from Ennis in Brooklyn, and while the 23-year-old is unproven against a fighter of Ennis' class and potential, he has passed every task put in front of him to this point.
There was enough in those performances to suggest he can last to the final bell against a fighter making his debut in a new weight division.
A stoppage victory for Boots is favoured over a decision success, which is understandable given the knockout record of the former welterweight king, but at 6/4 Ennis can be backed to score a points success in New York.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
