Xander Zayas will defend his WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday June 27, it was announced today.
Zayas, 23-0 (13 KOs), unified the titles in January when beating Abass Baraou via split decision to become the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight. The popular 23-year-old will now return to New York for his ninth fight in the Big Apple. He will do so almost a year since winning his first world title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, where he dominated Jorge Garcia Perez to claim the vacant WBO belt.
Meanwhile, Ennis, 35-0 (31 KOs), is looking to become a two-weight unified champion after just one fight, and one round, at his new weight. In April, the gifted Philadelphian unified the welterweight division by beating of Eimantas Stanionis in Atlantic City. With the win, Ennis, 28, added the WBA strap to the IBF belt he already owned. Following that, he signaled his intentions at 154lbs by destroying Uisma Lima inside a round in his debut at the weight, grabbing the interim WBA title in the process.
“Long before I became a world champion,” said Zayas, “I always sought to face the biggest challenges in my division. I have never shied away from a fight and have always been willing to test my skills against anyone.
“Now, as the unified champion, I am ready to defend my world titles against one of the sport's biggest names. I have always believed in myself and, on June 27, I will continue to show the world what is possible when you dare to be great!"
“Time to step and collect these belts!” said Ennis. “Knocking them down one by one! #AndTheNew.”
