The New York State Athletic Commission stepped in after Xander Zayas’ team raised concerns over Ennis’ beard at the official weigh-in
Jaron “Boots” Ennis will have to trim his beard before challenging Xander Zayas after the New York State Athletic Commission ruled it must be shortened. The decision followed a request from Zayas’ team during Friday’s official weigh-in, although Team Ennis says the adjustment is minor and will have no effect on the fight.
“The pressing issue is that there was some drama this morning around the length of the beard that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fights with. There was a request by Xander Zayas’ team that Boots trim his beard going into this fight on Saturday night,” DAZN commentator Chris Mannix said during the weigh-in broadcast.
Ennis initially declined the request, but the New York State Athletic Commission stepped in and ordered a slight trim before the bout.
“Boots politely declined that request, but the New York Commission came in and said he does need to trim his beard down a little bit. I talked to Bozy Ennis, the father and trainer, who said it’s not a big deal. It’s just a small amount, but there will be a little bit of reduction in that beard when Boots takes on Xander Zayas on Saturday night.”
Bozy Ennis dismissed the issue as insignificant, telling Mannix that only a small amount would be trimmed and that it would have no impact on Saturday night’s fight.
Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) challenges Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) for the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The bout headlines a DAZN pay-per-view card.
🚨 Jaron Ennis will have to trim his beard! 🚨
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