The respected Philadelphia trainer discussed former fighters, influential mentors and failed negotiations before June 27
As Jaron “Boots” Ennis prepares to challenge Xander Zayas on June 27, trainer Derek “Bozy” Ennis reflected on the fighters he has developed, the trainers who influenced him and the negotiations behind several major fights that never happened. The longtime Philadelphia trainer also shared his thoughts on Zayas and Boots’ latest training camp.
Long before Boots emerged as one of boxing’s elite fighters, Bozy built a reputation as one of Philadelphia’s most respected teachers of the sport. He guided the careers of all three of his sons, including Derek “Pooh” Ennis, a former IBF USBA junior middleweight champion, and Farah Ennis, a former NABF super middleweight champion who also worked as a sparring partner for Gennadiy Golovkin.
When asked about some of the fighters he has trained over the years, Bozy listed an impressive group of names.
“Anthony Thompson, Demetrius Hopkins, Ray Robinson, Coy Evans, Prince Ajuma, Rasheem Brown, Andy Cruz, Bryant Jennings, Stephen Fulton, Oshae Jones, and Haven Brady,” said Bozy.
Bozy was also asked which trainers and teachers he considers among the best in boxing.
“Georgie Benton, Bouie Fisher, Sloan Harrison, Mitch Allen, Melvin ‘Rev’ Thompson, Al Fennell, Al Styles Sr., Jim Robinson, Howard Moses, Nasim Richardson, Jimmy Glenn, Fred Jenkins, Roger Mayweather, Sam Hickman, and Sam Solomon,” he said.
The veteran trainer also addressed a proposed fight between Boots and Vergil Ortiz Jr. that never materialized.
“Between Oscar De La Hoya and Ortiz’s manager, there was a conflict,” said Bozy.
Asked about the previously discussed possibility of a fight with Terence Crawford, Bozy pointed to issues involving Crawford’s side during negotiations.
“His group BLK messed it up. They wanted Boots to leave Showtime, and I was close with Showtime’s Espinoza,” said Bozy.
As for Boots’ upcoming challenge against Zayas, Bozy offered a straightforward assessment of the unbeaten champion while expressing confidence in how training camp was progressing.
“Going as usual for Boots,” said Bozy. “Xander is a good fighter.”
The June 27 clash will headline a Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank co-promotion at Barclays Center and will be available on DAZN PPV. For Boots, it represents an opportunity to become a unified champion in a second weight class. For Bozy, it is another chapter in a career spent developing fighters and passing along the lessons he learned from some of boxing’s most respected trainers.