Xander Zayas Reveals What He Sees As Jaron Ennis’ Biggest Weaknesses

The unified champion says Ennis is vulnerable to body work and questioned the challenger’s footwork ahead of June 27

Xander Zayas believes he has found two weaknesses in Jaron “Boots” Ennis ahead of their June 27 title fight. The unified super welterweight champion says Ennis is vulnerable to body shots and questioned his footwork while dismissing claims that athleticism favors the challenger.

“Athleticism. Well, I do the same things he does. I take angles. The only thing I don’t do that he does is fight lefty, but other than that, I take angles. I’m way better than him, movement-wise. My jab is good. My combinations, my counter punching. I mean, there’s athleticism there, you know? You don’t just do that fluidly by not being athletic,” Zayas told Brian Custer on his channel.

When asked what he views as Ennis’ biggest weakness, Zayas didn’t hesitate.

“His feet. He’s flatfooted and [he doesn’t like getting hit to the] body that much. So, we’ll see how that goes,” Zayas said

Ennis enters the contest as the betting favorite despite Zayas holding the WBA and WBO titles at 154 pounds. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican champion has embraced the underdog role throughout the build-up, insisting that Ennis and others are underestimating him.

The June 27 clash pits two of boxing’s youngest champions against one another in what many view as the most significant fight of either man’s career. For Zayas, it is also an opportunity to prove that his technical ability and ring IQ can neutralize the physical advantages many attribute to Ennis.

If Zayas is correct about Ennis’ susceptibility to body work and issues with foot positioning, fans could see him test that theory early when the opening bell rings in Brooklyn.