Boxing’s ultimate showdown set to ignite the city this summer
Headlining the Matchroom Boxing event at the Barclays Center, rising star Xander Zayas will defend his unified WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles against Philadelphia’s own Jaron "Boots" Ennis, the reigning unified welterweight champion, who is making his New York City debut.
Anticipation is building for a blockbuster night of boxing heading to Brooklyn.
In just two months, fans will witness one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year as two elite champions finally step into the ring together.
Headlining the Matchroom Boxing event at the Barclays Center, rising star Xander Zayas will defend his unified WBO and WBA junior middleweight titles against Philadelphia’s own Jaron "Boots" Ennis, the reigning unified welterweight champion, who is making his New York City debut.
At just 23 years old, Zayas continues to build an impressive résumé. The Puerto Rican standout will be fighting in New York City for the ninth time, a place he considers home away from home. Fresh off capturing gold in Puerto Rico earlier this year, Zayas says the location for this clash felt like a natural fit.
“Him being from Philly, me being from Puerto Rico and having the Puerto Rican pride here in New York, it was a pretty easy place to bring the fight at,” Zayas said.
Across the ring, Ennis brings confidence and power into what promises to be a defining moment in his career. The 28-year-old champion is eager to prove himself on one of boxing’s biggest stages, and he isn’t short on bold predictions.
“No matter what he do, I feel like he just can’t. He too slow. He don’t move his head. He’s getting better, but I’m going to be too much for him. What I got coming to him he’s not going to be able to take,” Ennis said.
With both fighters at the top of their game and plenty of pride on the line, the matchup has all the ingredients of a classic. The clash between youth and experience, speed and power, and two proud fighting cultures is expected to deliver fireworks.
The highly anticipated showdown takes place June 27 at the Barclays Center - setting the stage for what could be one of the most memorable fights of the summer.
