Ennis posts title ambition as talks continue for potential fight with Xander Zayas
Jaron Ennis says he is targeting titles in a second division as he prepares to move to junior middleweight. The statement comes amid talks for a fight with Xander Zayas.
“2 WEIGHT UNIFIED CHAMP #ANDTHENEW,” Ennis posted on X, alongside a brief celebratory clip that quickly drew reaction from fans referencing his expected June bout with Xander Zayas at Barclays Center.
The post comes as multiple sources continue to point to Ennis moving up from welterweight to challenge Zayas in a unification fight. Ennis currently holds a 35-0 record with 31 knockouts. While he previously dominated the 147-pound landscape as the IBF king, his recent 154-pound debut, a one-round destruction of Uisma Lima in October 2025, proved his power travels north.
Zayas, the 23-year-old Puerto Rican phenom, has quickly consolidated power at junior middleweight. He became a unified champion in January 2026 by defeating Abass Baraou in San Juan, claiming both the WBO and WBA titles.
The matchup would place Ennis directly into a second-division title fight rather than taking another tune-up at the weight. His post signals confidence in making that jump immediately, presenting the move as a title-driven step rather than a gradual transition.
Fan replies to the post referenced the June 27 timeline and the Barclays Center location, which has circulated through recent reporting tied to the fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn recently noted that negotiations are “imminent,” suggesting an official announcement could be just days away.
Ennis has dealt with criticism recently from Ryan Garcia, who questioned his level of opposition. A clash with Zayas would answer those claims directly, pitting Ennis against a younger, undefeated unified champion in a higher weight class.
While the June date and Brooklyn venue have not yet been formally announced by Matchroom or Top Rank, Ennis’s social media activity adds to the growing expectation that the fight is next.