Boxing
Zayas says Ennis “saw it today” during the match
Ennis stepped forward several times while looking down, pointing a finger at the 23-year-old champion and closing the distance until both fighters were chest-touch. The situation escalated as Ennis continued to make gestures at close range, forcing officials to step in and separate them.
Zayas didn’t respond in the same way. He remained noiseless, unresponsive, and later pointed to the same exchange as evidence that the matchup might not go as Ennis expected.
“He kept trying to believe that he was as massive as me, that he was as statuesque as me. It’s different. It’s different. He saw it today,” Zayas said during a press conference.
In the June 27 fight, Ennis will move up to 154 pounds to challenge Zayas, who holds the WBA and WBO titles. While most of the initial focus was on whether Ennis’ skills could handle the welterweight division, Zayas focused his message on physical presence and composure.
Even though Zayas is only 23, he has a maturity that usually takes a decade longer to develop. Ennis was clearly trying to check the younger man’s chin, metaphorically speaking, before they even put the gloves on.
Closing that distance and getting into his space, Boots looked for a crack in his armor, a wink, a stutter, or a reactionary shove that would signal that Zayas was feeling the heat.
Instead, Zayas treated it like a featherlight sparring session for the mind. There are several reasons why his reaction, or lack thereof, is so telling:
Zayas looked physically comfortable. When a guy increases his weight to fight you and tries to bully you, staying still is the best way to gain more power. It sends the message “you can’t move me.”
Zayas has become a marked man since signing at the age of 16. He’s used to veterans trying to be his “little brother.” He didn’t fall for it because he had already seen the script.
By not reacting, Zayas actually put pressure on Ennis again. Now Boots must wonder why his usual scare tactics didn’t work.
This is a case of an elite talent trying to employ alpha energy against a hero who is perfectly content to let his titles and his physique do the talking. If Ennis wanted to say Zayas was upset, he showed up empty-handed.
“I just feel like he gets frustrated when things don’t go his way, and he’s really going to be frustrated on June 27,” Zayas said.
Xander is basically telling the world that Ennis hits a “frustration trigger” when he can’t find his rhythm. The two fights with Karen Chukhadzhian are the perfect template for Zayas’ argument.
In their first meeting in early 2023, Chukhadzhian’s movement and constant angles snapped Ennis’ 19-fight knockout streak. You could see the irritation building in Ennis as the rounds wore on and the highlight reel remained out of reach.
Even though Ennis won the rematch in Philadelphia in 2024, many described it as a “flat” and “sloppy” performance. Despite the knockdown, Ennis looked visibly concerned about his holding and defensive tactics. He even admitted later that it’s demanding to “stand up” in front of guys he doesn’t respect as his biggest threats.
If Zayas causes Ennis to miss in the first few rounds on June 27, he’s betting that “Boots” will lose his temper and make the kind of defensive mistakes we’ve seen in his recent outings.
“Man, to be great you have to face the good guys,” Zayas said. “Just take the effortless way. I want to be great. That’s how you do it.”
Zayas positions himself as an old-school master who finds the biggest threats while casting doubt on Ennis’s career management.
While “Boots” is undeniably talented, the perceived wobble in his career has created an opportunity for Zayas to attack his “greatness”:
Missing out on the Vergil Ortiz fight when both were emerging contenders is often cited as a missed opportunity to prove he was the next generation’s top dog.
Whether it was promotional hurdles or strategic waiting, the fact that Ennis never shared a ring with Terence Crawford while “Bud” held all the cards at welterweight remains a major “what if” question.
Making the correction rather than challenging his top rival immediately after advancing gave Zayas the ammunition to say Ennis was playing it secure.
By going public, Zayas is trying to get into Ennis’ head. He basically says, “I’m the youthful lion who wants smoke, and you’re the one who’s waiting for the right conditions.” He puts pressure on Ennis to not only win, but to be spectacular and prove Zayas wrong.
Zayas seems to understand that in today’s boxing competition, fans respect the “take on everyone” mentality more than an undefeated record against weaker competition.
Agit Kabayel is expected to make short work of Nelson Hysa when he defends his WBC heavyweight title on November 28, with Bernd Boente exclusively telling World Boxing News that he expects the German champion to win within five rounds.
Kabayel has become one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world, with his relentless pressure and body punching proving too much for some of the division’s biggest names.
Hysa brings an unbeaten record and considerable knockout power to Düsseldorf, but the 42-year-old has never faced an opponent of Kabayel’s quality.
Boente believes the challenger has a dangerous weapon of his own, although he expects Kabayel to take control from the opening bell.
Boente Predicts Five-Round Finish
Asked whether Hysa’s punching power has been overrated, Boente warned against dismissing the Albanian’s right hand.
“Agit is a classic pressure fighter and will put Hysa under pressure right from the start. Hysa certainly possesses a dangerous right hand that Agit needs to watch out for, especially when Hysa counters,” Boente told WBN.
“However, Hysa hasn’t fought any top-tier opponents yet, so it’s hard to say for sure how things will go, but I’m predicting Agit wins within five rounds.”
Kabayel has already stopped Arslanbek MakhmudovFrank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang on his way to becoming world champion.
Those victories established him among the heavyweight elite, while Hysa must now prove that his knockout record can stand up against a fighter operating at the highest level.
Hysa’s Financial Demands
The fight was not agreed without difficulties, with both sides involved in a public exchange before negotiations were completed.
Asked whether the disagreement had simply been an attempt to generate publicity, Boente pointed to money as the main issue.
“I think it came down to finances, as always. I heard Hysa wanted too much and his demands weren’t met. He initially turned it down, but then presumably realized that, at 42, he wouldn’t get many more chances to compete in a World Championship.”
The agreement gives Hysa an opportunity to become world champion at an age when most heavyweights are approaching the end of their careers.
It also gives Kabayel the chance to make the first defense of the full WBC championship he inherited following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate in June.
35,000 Tickets Sold
Questions have been raised over whether Hysa is a big enough name for a major stadium defense, but Boente believes the occasion itself is attracting supporters.
“Queensberry has already sold over 35,000 tickets in days. Ultimately, most spectators come for the event—for a heavyweight world title fight in a stadium. That is something truly special, and many people simply want to be there!
“When the Klitschkos boxed in German stadiums, they sold out—regardless of whether the opponent was Mormeck or Haye.”
Boente is also a DAZN DACH heavyweight pundit and will provide analysis for Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley this weekend.
The November 28 event at Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena marks another major step in the revival of heavyweight boxing in Germany.
Kabayel has already ended the country’s 94-year wait for a recognized heavyweight world champion, becoming the first since Max Schmeling in 1932.
Now comes his first defense, with a large home crowd expected to back the unbeaten champion.
Hysa has the power to make things interesting, but Boente believes Kabayel’s pressure will be the difference.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
Canelo Alvarez Reveals Top 5 Best Fighters in the World | Boxing News 2023
Naoya Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez Mega Fight in Jeopardy: Im Not Waiting Sparks Concerns
Agit Kabayel Expected to Defeat Nelson Hysa by TKO in Five Rounds
-
MMA2 days agoUFC Vegas 122: Start time, Paramount+ stream & full fight card
-
Boxing2 days agoTim Tszyu Set for World Title Shot Against Boxings Oldest Champion After Victory Over Spence
-
Boxing2 days agoDubois vs Wardley 2: Complete Guide to Date, Time, Venue, Undercard, Weight, Records & How to Watch
-
MMA1 day agoJake Paul cleared after Anthony Joshua knockout, eyes UFC stars
-
Boxing1 day agoDaniel Dubois Must Improve Start to Overcome Fabio Wardley Challenge
-
Boxing1 day agoDaniel Dubois Must Improve Start Against Fabio Wardley for Victory
-
Boxing1 day agoSalita Promotions Positions Atif Oberlton as Americas Leading Light Heavyweight
-
MMA1 day agoDiego Lopes welcomes BMF-style war with Charles Oliveira at UFC 335: ‘Let’s see who goes down first’