Reactions to Jaron “Boots” Ennis sensational knockout win over Xander Zayas

Jaron “Boots” Ennis scores sensational stoppage of Xander Zayas

Two-weight world champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis won the WBA and WBO super welterweight titles on June 27 in Brooklyn, stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round of a hard-fought, highly-entertaining battle.

Zayas (23-1, 13 KO) found himself on the receiving end of Ennis’ outstanding offensive capabilities right from the opening bell, and also found himself on the canvas in the very opening round.

But despite a fast start from Ennis (36-0, 32 KO), Zayas showed a tremendous amount of heart and toughness, weathering the storm successfully enough to battle back in the third and fourth rounds and give himself some hope. He appeared to hurt Ennis momentarily in the third, but it was a fleeting moment.

The trading was never the best idea, and it came back to haunt Zayas when Ennis absolutely dominated the fifth round, scoring another knockdown and just brutalising the young, defending titlist. The sixth round slowed the fight down a bit from both sides, but Ennis again went on the attack in the seventh, scoring yet another knockdown, at which point Zayas’ corner conceded defeat, and the fighter did not disagree with their call.

“I knew he would come forward, and we were ready for it,” Ennis said after the fight. “I just took my time, stayed patient, and listened to my corner.”

Boots admitted he was hurt in the third round and blamed it on “being lazy,” and that it’s something he needs to sharpen up, but that he wasn’t worried about it.

Ennis also credited Zayas’ toughness: “He’s a grown man. He’s durable. He’s a big guy. I knew he was going to be able to take some punches. I had respect for him. He didn’t have to take this fight, he could have faced somebody else. But he wanted to test himself against one of the best, and I commend him on that.”

On his end, Zayas made no excuses, and said he was proud of his performance, “It was an amazing night. I showed tonight that if you dream big, sometimes you come up short, but it’s part of the journey. Congratulations to Boots, he did what he needed to do, and he deserved the victory tonight.

“I’m happy with my performance. It was not what I was expecting, not what I trained for, but I knew I had one of the best in front of me. He hurt me in the first round and my legs went away for a couple of rounds. Then I hurt him, but he got me again. You learn and you come back and get better.”

Zayas said he would “take some time off” with his family, then “reset and see what’s next,” possibly with a move up to middleweight. “He won as the champion he is and I lost like the gentleman I am,” he said. “Respect to Boots, take over the 154 division. You deserve everything.”

Terence Crawford: “To credit Boots, he’s a tremendous talent and he’s no walk in the park for no one… The only thing I can say is, I’m 10 steps ahead of him in smarts.”

Zach Schmaker: “Round 3 of Boots Ennis vs. Xander Zayas is one of the greatest rounds of boxing you will ever watch. An absolute war from bell to bell. Pure cinema.”

Jim White: “What a fight in Brooklyn last night - “Boots” overcame Zayas but this had everything! Electric being in the crowd!”

Tim Rickson: “I think Boots is an absolute superstar after that srtunning performance. I would place him in the pound-for-pound top 10.”

Adrian Delgado: “They say a hurt fighter is a dangerous fighter & Boots proved it. What stood out is his composure & craftiness. He tied up briefly to regain position, ripped the body, smothered Zayas’ work, rolled with punches, won the exchanges & by the end of the round had Zayas hurt.”