Xander Zayas-Jaron 'Boots' Ennis: Picks, predictio...
Key takeaways
- Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) won the WBO title by defeating Jorge Garcia Perez in July 2025 and added the WBA belt with a split decision victory over Abass Baraou in January.
- "Long before I became a world champion, I always sought to face the biggest challenges in my division," Zayas said in a statement when the fight was announced.
- During an open workout in New York on Monday, Ennis said he feels stronger at 154 pounds and is excited about the opportunity to fight for two titles against one of the division's top fighters.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Xander Zayas, left, puts his WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles on the line against Jaron "Boots" Ennis on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Zachariah Delgado/Matchroom Boxing Photos Andreas Hale Jun 26, 2026, 08:39 AM ETClose Andreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas' free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM's Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z's Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film "Bridges" in 2024.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJunior middleweight champion Xander Zayas defends his WBA and WBO titles against former welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York (DAZN, 8:30 p.m. ET).
Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) won the WBO title by defeating Jorge Garcia Perez in July 2025 and added the WBA belt with a split decision victory over Abass Baraou in January.
Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), a -500 favorite to win the fight per DraftKings Sportsbook, vacated the IBF and WBA welterweight titles to move up a division following a sixth-round TKO victory over Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025. He defeated Uisma Lima in October to win the WBA interim junior middleweight title and entered in discussions for a highly anticipated fight at 154 pounds against WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr., but when that bout failed to materialize, Zayas stepped in to take the fight.