Veteran insider Rick Glaser reports the unified champion has already decided to move to middleweight regardless of Saturday night’s result
Xander Zayas is expected to leave the junior middleweight division after defending his unified titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis on Saturday, according to veteran boxing insider Rick Glaser. The report says the decision was made months ago and will not change regardless of the outcome in Brooklyn.
“From a very reliable source, this will be Xander Zayas last fight at 154, no matter the result Saturday night vs Boots Ennis,” Glaser posted on X. “Xander is on his way to 160 & the Middleweight division. This decision was made a while ago.”
If accurate, the move would bring a quick end to Zayas’ championship run at 154. The 23-year-old captured the vacant WBO title earlier this year before adding the WBA belt, but his future has long been expected to be at middleweight as he continues to fill out physically.
Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) now faces the toughest test of his career against the unbeaten Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), who moved up after establishing himself as one of boxing’s premier welterweights. The bout headlines DAZN Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center and will determine who leaves Brooklyn with two world titles.
A move to 160 would give Zayas a fresh set of challenges after years of campaigning at junior middleweight. While no opponent has been named for his middleweight debut, Glaser’s report suggests the decision has already been made behind the scenes and does not depend on Saturday’s result.
Zayas’ immediate focus remains on Ennis. But if Glaser’s information proves correct, Saturday night’s fight will mark the final chapter of his career in the 154-pound division before beginning a new campaign at middleweight.