Mannix believes Zayas gained credibility in defeat and says a move to 160 pounds could quickly lead to another title opportunity
Chris Mannix believes Xander Zayas’ first professional defeat could become the turning point of his career. The veteran broadcaster says the 23-year-old has a clear path to a world title after moving to the middleweight division.
Zayas had planned to move to 160 pounds regardless of the outcome against Jaron “Boots” Ennis, and the 23-year-old should find opportunities in a division that appears wide open.
“I think he’s going to go up to 160 and I think he’s going to do well. I think he’ll be a champion at 160 pounds,” Mannix said on his channel.
“I saw more from Xander Zayas in defeat in that fight than I’d seen from him in any of the wins. I have more respect for Xander Zayas as a fighter coming out of that fight than I did before any of the previous fights,” he said.
Mannix expects Zayas to bypass the rematch clause with Ennis and continue his career at middleweight, where he believes the Puerto Rican has a realistic path to a title. He specifically mentioned a possible fight with Denzel Bentley if the WBO belt becomes available, noting the sanctioning body’s longstanding relationship with Top Rank.
Zayas entered last Saturday’s unification bout unbeaten before suffering a seventh-round stoppage loss to Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Despite the defeat, the performance earned widespread praise for the way the 23-year-old repeatedly fought back after being knocked down, and a move to 160 pounds would eliminate the weight-cut concerns that have followed him during his run at junior middleweight.