Ahead of his June 27 fight at Barclays against undefeated Jaron “Boots” Ennis, unified super welterweight champion Xander Zayas says he’s heard the doubts about his age, experience, and power—and is still focused on delivering. With both fighters unbeaten and
Xander Zayas walked into the moment like it was already carrying the weight of history.
Next weekend. the 23-year-old unified super welterweight champion is set to step into the ring for a June 27 clash in Brooklyn at Barclays against Jaron “Boots” Ennis. The stakes aren’t just loud—they’re built into the matchup itself: both fighters enter undefeated. and the criticisms Zayas has heard about him—too young. not enough experience. not enough power—haven’t slowed his momentum.
“Obviously, this one is a bit different because you have undefeated fighters that are well known in the boxing world and in the athletic world so I feel like it’s exciting,” Zayas said in an interview ahead of the fight.
He framed the night as a collision between people who want their place at the top to be undeniable. “A lot of fans want to see it, they want to watch this fight. Two hungry lions that are looking forward to keep making legacy and keep making history, so I’m really excited for it!”
Both men arrive with records that leave very little room for argument before the bell. Ennis is 35-0 with 31 KOs. Zayas is 23-0 with 13 KOs. The unbeaten streaks turn every jab into something more than a statistic—because at Barclays on June 27. someone’s “0 has got to go. ” as the fight is billed as one of the most anticipated of the year.
Even with that kind of momentum behind him, Zayas is listed as a heavy underdog at +375. He doesn’t sound surprised by that either. “Man, that’s always been the case in my life,” he said. “I’ve always faced guys that are older than me. that have more experience than me. and I’m always in my head and in a way the underdog because they always say. ‘Oh the young guy doesn’t have that much experience.’ Until we get in the ring. so at the end it comes down to June 27.”.
Zayas insists this fight isn’t just another chapter—it’s the page where the doubts become irrelevant. When he talks about what happens after June 27, he points straight to the outcome.
“This is the fight. After I win June 27th, there’s no doubt, I’m the biggest name at 154 [lbs.] I’ve been saying it throughout the years. Now I have to prove it,” he said.
The build-up doesn’t stop at boxing, either. Zayas also discussed his relationship with Terence “Bud” Crawford. and whether there could be any special celebrity guests who come out for the event—something fans may already have in mind given that Zayas was part of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
By the time the sun rises on June 28, Zayas believes one thing will be clear: the world will finally see exactly where he stands at 154—and whether the undefeated legacy he’s been chasing since the beginning holds under the brightest spotlight.
Xander Zayas Boots Ennis Jaron Ennis Barclays Brooklyn boxing June 27 unified super welterweight champion Terence Bud Crawford Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime