In less than three months’ time, Xander Zayas and Jaron Ennis put their undefeated records on the line against one another, and pound-for-pound superstar Shakur Stevenson has offered his fight prediction.
Ennis was a unified world champion in the welterweight division, but moved up to the super-welterweight scene back in October and knocked out Uisma Lima in the opening round of his 154lb debut. Now, ‘Boots’ is believed by many to be the top player at his new weight, but he currently lacks the belts to back up those plaudits.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico fan-favourite Zayas became boxing’s youngest unified world champion when he decisioned Jorge Garcia Perez and Abass Baraou in consecutive bouts, getting his hands on both the WBO and then WBA world titles.
Against Ennis, Zayas has the chance to prove to the world that he is the best super-welterweight on the planet, despite being just 23-years-old, but with his relative inexperience on the big stage, it is the Philadelphian who will enter the bout as the favourite.
On social media, WBO super-lightweight champion Stevenson agreed with the oddsmakers’ opinion, giving Zayas respect for accepting the fight but siding with his fellow American when predicting the outcome.
“Respect to Xander, hellavu young fighter with the heart of a lion for accepting this fight.
“We need more fighters like him in boxing, win or lose, he like that.
“Boots different tho, he’s the hardest fighter to deal with at that weight IMO.”
Zayas-Ennis takes place on Saturday, June 27, as both men chase a legacy-defining win that will earn them pound-for-pound recognition.
