Jaron Ennis Sees Himself In Ben Whittaker, However Xander Zayas Will not Stand Nonetheless
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“He’s real sharp and smart,” Ennis mentioned. “He plays around when he wants to, and he goes for the kill when he wants to. That’s me. I’m the same type of way. Our styles are fan-friendly.”
While Ennis and Whittaker might share an appreciation for entertaining crowds, their upcoming assignments current very totally different challenges.
Whittaker, 11-0-1 (8 KOs), is about to face Richard Rivera in his American debut on the undercard at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old Olympic silver medalist has but to face a world-class opponent throughout his skilled profession. His latest victories over Benjamin Gavazi and Braian Suarez got here in opposition to opponents who lacked the pace and technical means to constantly hassle him.
Even Liam Cameron, whose first battle with Whittaker led to a controversial draw, wasn’t the kind of slick boxer able to making Whittaker chase him across the ring. The rematch allowed Whittaker to reply some questions, but it surely stopped in need of proving how his model would maintain up in opposition to elite mild heavyweights.
Jaron, in the meantime, faces a distinct type of examination in opposition to Xander Zayas.
Unlike the slower, pressure-oriented opponents Ennis has typically appeared spectacular in opposition to, Zayas brings motion, self-discipline, and a technically sound boxing model. The unbeaten titleholder operates behind a pointy jab, makes use of angles successfully, and infrequently provides opponents extended alternatives to showcase their offensive creativity.
That might make it considerably tougher for Boots to “have fun” within the ring.
Critics have lengthy questioned the extent of opposition Ennis has confronted all through his profession, arguing that the reward surrounding him has outpaced the standard of his résumé. A dominant victory over Zayas would offer one of many strongest solutions to these issues.
Whittaker has largely been matched with opponents prepared to have interaction on his phrases. Zayas isn’t constructed that method. The 23-year-old prefers to field behind his jab, create angles, and make opponents reset. For Ennis, that might imply fewer probabilities to entertain and extra emphasis on fixing the puzzle in entrance of him.
If not, the dialog surrounding Ennis might stay unchanged.
Whittaker has largely been allowed to dictate the phrases of his fights. On June 27, Ennis shall be tasked with doing one thing harder: imposing his model on an opponent whose contest plan is constructed round taking that freedom away.
Robert Segal is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with greater than a decade of expertise masking battle information, previews, and evaluation. Known for his easy reporting and ringside perspective, he delivers authoritative protection of champions, contenders, and rising expertise worldwide.
