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Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis
Final Press Conference
Today, amid the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn, NY, the
energy was cranked up a notch inside Barclays Center as WBO
and WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion Xander Zayas
(23-0, 13 KOs) and challenger, Philadelphia’s Jaron “Boots”
Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), exchanged some final words ahead of
their June 27 bout. The blockbuster fight is streaming live
and exclusively on DAZN PPV, delivered to boxing fans around
the globe by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.
Saturday night’s clash features no shortage of storylines,
as Zayas looks to fend off a hungry fighter in Ennis, who
will look to become a two-weight unified champion in just
his second fight at the weight after pummeling Uisma Lima en
route to a first round victory last October. The 23-year-old
Zayas most recently unified both titles in January after
besting Abass Baraou via split decision. Zayas has become
one of boxing’s youngest stars and a unified ruler – the
first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight.
Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say:
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Chairman
On the excitement of Saturday night…
“Unquestionably, fight of the year…event of the year. This
whole arena – Barclays Center – will be completely full to
watch what boxing is all about. The unified world
championship between two young, undefeated fighters. This
undercard is a thriller. I’d love to see Emiliano Vargas
down there and the man to my left, Bryce Mills, is looking
to tear up the script. Emiliano is one of the top guys, and
the man to my right [Bryce Mills], I think, is the future
superstar of the sport, Ben Whittaker. The fans are not just
going to see an incredible main event on Saturday, they’re
going to see the best young fighters from both sides of the
Atlantic. For Matchroom, on our behalf, this is a guy who
sits at the top of our priorities in Ben Whittaker. One of
the biggest stars in boxing in the weight class and a future
world champion at 175 pounds.”
On why he thinks Boots is a superstar…
“What you're about to see on Saturday night is one of the
greatest performances from an American fighter that I think
you've ever witnessed. The smile that has been on this guy's
[Boots Ennis] face all week, because this is the moment.
This is the moment that he's dreamed of his whole life, to
show you and show everybody in the world how great he is.
This is a massive moment for Jaron Ennis. This young man has
lived in the gym with his father for years, decades. It's
only the beginning. Saturday is just the beginning to show
the world how great he is. And again, no disrespect to
Xander Zayas, what a fight…58-0 between these two. On
Saturday night, you're going to see the future of boxing.
This is going to be one of the most clinical, brutal
displays we've ever witnessed, and a packed arena here in
Brooklyn. This son of a b**** is an animal. Let me tell you,
you have no idea what you are about to witness on Saturday
night. This fight is going to leave you with your jaws wide
open, the hairs standing up on your neck, because this is
the pound for pound number one and you are about to see on
Saturday night.”
Todd DuBoef, President, Top Rank
On the excitement ahead of Saturday night…
“I walked into the press office today, and I saw Fernando
[Vargas] sitting there, and he said, 'I told you my son is
the face of the sport.’ There's something special. Our team
has had our eyes on Emiliano [Vargas] from way before he
turned pro, and he was on this stage. What really makes that
ability to find somebody that has that shine, the
marketability as Emiliano does, but it's also developing the
right way, and our match makers. Emiliano has delivered on
every level, and to put him in New York, and to put this
card together when we’re cutting through the greatest
sporting event of the year by far with the FIFA World Cup,
putting all of these fighters on the way we did it in
Barclays Center…it’s amazing.”
On his confidence level for Xander Xayas going into this
fight…
“He [Xander] just wants to win. He wants the biggest
challenge. So not only are we talking about a fight, we're
talking about two guys who are in their prime. These are two
guys in their prime, at their peak, going at it. Xander has
delivered every step of the way for us, and every step of
the way, he says, ‘Bring it on.’ So, I know Eddie [Hearn]
thinks we're going to see this masterpiece on Saturday night
– and he should rightfully say that – but I'm telling you,
I've never seen a will like this. I've never seen a Puerto
Rican island just explode with enthusiasm, just wanting
another superstar, and Xander knows it's him. So, we're
bringing Puerto Rico back to New York, and it's at Barclays
Center on Saturday night, and he [Xander] has a lot to say
about that.”
Alfie Sharman, VP, Marketing, DAZN
On the fight this Saturday…
“What a fight, what an occasion, and what a moment for the
sport. Xander Zayas and Boots Ennis are everything to me
that a boxing fan could possibly want from a pay-per-view
blockbuster event. Two world champions…two absolute stars of
the sport who have already achieved so much set against the
backdrop of New York. It feels like we're really at the
center of the sporting universe this week. This doesn't
happen quite enough in the sport of boxing, so I want to
credit both fighters' teams for having this fight on our
platform. When I look at the fights we have delivered in
2026 so far, I have to say this one genuinely does stand
out. The winner is not only going to be a unified World
Champion in Xander’s case or two-weight in Boots’ case, but
they will be the future of boxing in North America and
potentially the world. I hope you tune in on Saturday. Don’t
miss this on the global home of boxing on DAZN.”
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
On how he is feeling ahead of Saturday night…
“I’m feeling great, I’m feeling tremendous. It’s been a lot
of work, but I'm trying to have some fun, put on a beautiful
show, and make it easy work come Saturday night.”
On how his camp has been…
“Camp has been tremendous. I’ve been enjoying myself,
putting in a lot of hard work, and being able to work with
different guys. Camp has been phenomenal. I can't wait to
show my skills and ability on Saturday and show the world
that I am the best. This is my time, this is my show.”
On how he thinks Xander will fight Saturday night…
“To be honest, I don't care how he fights. It doesn’t matter
what he does, we are ready for anything. We’ve hit every
style in camp, so whatever he wants to do, we can do it.
You know my slogan, I’m heading out like a robbery.”
On why he thinks he is a level above Xander Zayas…
“World champion for a reason, but it’s just levels. I’m
going to show my skills come Saturday night. I can’t wait.”
On if he is going the distance…
“You know my slogan, I’m heading out like a robbery.”
Xander Zayas
On how he is feeling 48 hours outside of the fight…
“I'm excited. 48 hours, it's what you've been dreaming of
since I was a kid. Since I was five, always wanting to be in
big fights. Now I get to do it, first pay-per-view, Barclays
Center, New York. I’m excited I’m going to take over the
world like I’ve been doing.”
On what he thinks he does better than Xander Zayas…
“I think I pop off on everybody. I always make my judgements,
that's what great fighters do. I am not going to sit here
and take credit for what he is. I think he's a great
fighter, I’ve always said it, but on Saturday night I am
going to prove that I am better than him.”
On his strategy going into Saturday night…
“Be smart, have fun, like I always do. Be smart, have fun,
have a smile on my face, and break it down little by
little.”
On how he breaks down other guys…
“I’ll show everyone on Saturday night.”
On Boots bullying him…
“He thinks it’s going to be an easy night. Let him think
that. Saturday night I will come out there and do what I do
at the highest level. I am going to make the adjustment and
come out victorious.”
On using his height as a weapon…
“Everything is going to be a weapon for me. I am going to
use every advantage I have, every weapon I have, every
opportunity I have. I will capitalize on the moment. You are
going to see what a world champion is on Saturday night.”
On what he thinks people will be saying after the fight…
“I’m the best 154-pounder in the world, that's what it's all
about. Legacy. I am going to keep building that legacy, keep
building the history, keep building the resume. Saturday
after the fight, they are going to say that I am the best
154-pounder in the world.”
Emiliano Vargas
On what he thinks of Bryce Mills comments…
“That’s what he’s supposed to say. You have to watch the
elbows because he’s an MMA guy – he likes to use his elbows,
but I’m ready to go. He is in the way of my world title. My
original opponent was supposed to be a World Champion but he
got the opportunity, and I’m going to take full advantage of
it. Either his face or his a** is the way he’s going down.”
On what he thinks of the trash talking going into this
fight…
“That’s what he’s supposed to say. I’m going to say what I
know. He doesn't train at the intensity that I do. I know
that for a fact. I’m going to do what I do best and be
great.”
On being pushed in his previous fights…
“Experience is everything. You are not going to knock every
guy out. My last two fights I was able to get the experience
and while he was taking his foot off the gas, I was putting
my foot on the gas. We’ve been working on a lot of different
things that you are going to see Saturday night, so I can't
wait to get in the ring. Something special always happens
when we are in New York. From being prospect of the year to
my 45-second knockout at Madison Square Garden, something
special always happens. I rock with the fans that always
welcome me, and the sky’s the limit.”
On what a win would mean to him…
“Anyone can win, but it’s how you do it. It’s either going
to be 10 rounds of dominance or he walks into something
ugly. He’s going to come with everything…that’s his only
shot. He fights like he has power. He only has seven or
eight fights. He’s talking trash like he’s a power puncher.
I just can't wait, and I am going to tell him to take his
own advice and not blink.”
Bryce Mills
On how he feels about his fight against Emiliano Vargas…
“I couldn’t feel any better. This is the biggest opportunity
I’ve had to date. I am going to prove to the boxing world
that I belong. This is my moment. 16 wins in a row, but this
win right here is the most important.”
On why it has been so important to fight Emiliano Vargas…
“He’s the prospect of the year. There is no better person to
call out than the prospect of the year. I was in no position
to call out the champion just yet. I’m early in my career,
so calling out the prospect of the year is the biggest move
I could make. I need to prove myself and prove that I belong
against one of the best in boxing.”
On what’s different about him since his first loss…
“I like to say I’m learning on the job. I’ve had a
kickboxing career in the amateurs. I had to learn on the job
and I had to take some fights in my career that a lot of
guys didn’t have to take. I didn’t have the glitz and the
glamour out of the gate and I wasn’t one of the top
prospects. I had to come up the hard way. I’m a completely
different fighter, so it’s tough to say it’s one thing that
I learned from that fight, but you’ll see on Saturday night
everything I learned.”
On how he sees the fight playing out Saturday night…
“I’m just going to have my way. I’m going to be in control
from the time the bell rings and I’m going to bring the
fight to him. I don’t think he’s going to be able to take
it.”
Ben Whittaker
On Richard Rivera’s comments…
“Sounds cute. He’s saying what he is supposed to say. We’re
just going to slice him up and cook him. He comes up here
with his pipe, looking a bit zesty. You say the British are
coming, but I’m part Jamaican and you know what we do. I’ll
see you on Saturday.”
On what kind of fight he’s expecting Saturday…
“He's a good fighter, but I just believe I’m better in every
department. I’m taller, I’m stronger, I’m quicker, and I
have a better IQ. I’m better looking, too. So for me, I
check all of those boxes, and Saturday is a good time.”
On how he feels the fight will go…
“It can go however I want it to go. I feel like I’m prepared
for anything. He’s talking about how he’s going to knock me
out and that sounds like music to my ears because the way he
comes forward, he’s going to get clipped with something
sweet. If he wants to go on the back foot, he’s getting
broken up too. For me, it’s going to be a beat down, and
it’s going to be surgical.”
Richard Rivera
On always being in character…
“They call me ‘Popeye,’ they say the name, but I feel a
little more like Mel Gibson in The Patriot. Ben [Whittaker],
have you ever seen The Patriot? In 1776 the British tried to
come. They thought we were weaker, the odds were completely
against us [America]. I fight with pride and exuberance.
Come Saturday, the odds won’t mean a thing.”
On what gives him the confidence to win…
“As a fighter, you always have to have confidence. You don’t
think otherwise. If you do, you shouldn’t be in the ring.
I’m here for a reason. I’ve been doing this my entire life
and it’s about time it paid off.”
On his prior comments about Ben Whittaker…
“Well, I figured he is somebody with a lot of antics. As you
see, I figured I’d try and keep my jokes outside of the ring
and keep it serious inside the ring.”
On how he sees the fight playing out…
“Plan A is to knock him out. Plan B is to beat him up.”
On if Ben Whitaker has the power to stop him…
“I trained knowing he is strong. I trained knowing he is
fast. I know he is well prepared, but that's the thing, he
has no clue what he is up against.”
Jahi Tucker
On being the best middleweight…
“The proof is in the pudding. Nobody has a resume like me in
boxing like I have without a world championship at this
point. This is my second or third Olympian that I have
fought. Another Top 10 Top Rank guy that I fought. Only time
is going to tell. Saturday is, not the first step, but it’s
another step to show you all I’m the best.”
On what he expects to show in a fight like this…
“Just showing no matter what. No matter how confident or how
hard you all say he hits. No matter what, he's subpar to me.
I can’t wait to demonstrate that. All of us came to fight.
Everybody throws punches. Everybody trains harder, but one
thing I’m certain about is that he has nothing for me. He
has nothing for me. I’m so serious. I can’t wait to show you
all.”
Euri Cendeno
On what he will bring to this fight…
“I don’t have anything to show him on Saturday.”
On how he sees the fight playing out…
“We are going to knock him out. He’s going to die there.”
Bozy Ennis, Jaron’s Father and Trainer
On what kind of fight he is expecting on Saturday…
“Well first of all, it’s going to be a good fight. When it
comes to Xander, it all depends on how he is coming. Is he
going to box, or is he coming straight at us? We do what we
need to do. He stays in the gym…I’ve had no problem with him
at all. I don’t have to tell him what to do because he knows
what to do. Everyone will see come Saturday, who is going to
be the best middleweight champion in the world.”
On how Xander will come out…
“He’s going to last for six to seven rounds. Other than
that, it’s over.”
On why Boots is levels above Xander…
“I like Xander. I like the way he looks, I like the way he
fights. But like I said, Boots is on another level. You
haven’t seen everything that Boots can do. Xander can bring
it out of Boots, but I want to bring it out of Boots and
bring him to another level. He hasn’t been to that other
level yet.”
On Boots’ ability to knock out heavyweights…
“Boots is saying that Xander is a bully, but now he is the
bully because he’s heavier than him. Weight doesn’t make a
difference. You are going to see Saturday night.”
Javiel Centeno, Zayas’ Trainer
On how the preparations have gone for Saturday…
“Preparations have gone well. We stay true to what we’ve
mentioned before. We’ve seen things that we can take
advantage of. [Xander] Zayas is the type of fighter that
will go in there and see the things to take advantage of.”
On if he has seen any changes from Xander…
“Absolutely. The hunger is always there. This camp has been
quite different in that he sees that light at the end of the
tunnel. He knows this is the fight that is going to take him
over the top. He is a major star in Puerto Rico right now
but this fight is going to make him a star worldwide.”
On Bozy’s thoughts that Saturday will be an early night…
“Well, that's easy to say but we are going to go in there as
a team and be smart about this fight.”
On how he foresees Xander's path to victory…
“We will keep that to ourselves. We are going to show up
Saturday.”
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