Report: Xander Zayas Leaving 154 For Middleweight After Boots Ennis Struggle

Summarize this content material to max 500 phrases in knowledgeable sports activities journalism information type, highlighting key info:

Xander Zayas’ keep at junior middleweight might be coming to an finish no matter what occurs Saturday evening towards Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

Veteran boxing insider Rick Glaser reported Friday that the unbeaten Puerto Rican has already determined to maneuver as much as the middleweight division after making the primary protection of his unified WBO and WBA 154-pound titles at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“From a very reliable source, this will be Xander Zayas last fight at 154, no matter the result Saturday night vs Boots Ennis,” Glaser posted on X. “Xander is on his way to 160 & the Middleweight division. This decision was made a while ago.”
If correct, the transfer would carry a fast finish to Zayas’ top spot run at 154. The 23-year-old captured the vacant WBO title earlier this yr earlier than including the WBA belt, however his future has lengthy been anticipated to be at middleweight as he continues to fill out bodily.
Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) now faces the hardest take a look at of his profession towards the unbeaten Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), who moved up after establishing himself as certainly one of boxing’s premier welterweights. The bout headlines DAZN Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center and can decide who leaves Brooklyn with two world titles.

A transfer to 160 would give Zayas a recent set of challenges after years of campaigning at junior middleweight. While no opponent has been named for his middleweight debut, Glaser’s report suggests the choice has already been made behind the scenes and doesn’t rely upon Saturday’s outcome.
Zayas’ rapid focus stays on Ennis. But if Glaser’s info proves appropriate, Saturday evening’s battle will mark the ultimate chapter of his profession within the 154-pound division earlier than starting a brand new marketing campaign at middleweight.

Tom Galm is a boxing journalist who has coated the worldwide battle panorama since 2014, specializing in heavyweight evaluation, trade developments, and fighter psychology.

Click right here to subscribe to our FREE newsletterRelated Boxing News:

Categories Jaron Ennis, Xander Zayas

Boxing News 24 » Jaron Ennis » Report: Xander Zayas Leaving 154 For Middleweight After Boots Ennis FightLast Updated on 2026/06/26 at 2:22 AM