Most observers see unified junior middleweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis as the clear favorite ahead of his June 27 bout with Xander Zayas.

But at least one analyst is starting to see this fight differently.

“Maybe I’m starting to buy into the idea that Zayas might have a better chance than most people are giving him,” Chris Mannix said on DAZN’s Beyond The Bell.

Mannix also revealed that confidence in Zayas’ camp is growing as the fight gets closer.

“When I talk to people in his camp, they say he’s having the best camp he’s ever had, that he’s as motivated as ever. He hears all the doubters. He sees all the activity on social media,” Chris said.

Former world champion Sergio Mora agreed that Zayas brings a unique challenge to the fight, pointing to his size advantage over Ennis.

“He’s naturally a bigger fighter. He’s going to pressure Boots. We saw Boots get hit,” Mora said. “Can he take hits from a bigger fighter like Xander Zayas, who is just confident?”

Zayas enters the fight as a junior middleweight with a long career, while Ennis is preparing for just his second appearance at 154 pounds after moving up from welterweight earlier this year. Although Ennis remains the bookmakers’ favorite, this fight has become one of the most anticipated fights of this summer.

The winner will leave Brooklyn with Ennis’ unified WBA and WBC junior middleweight titles and take an vital step towards becoming a top attraction in the division.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most vital fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.

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Last updated: 22/06/2026 at 3:53

Errol Spence Jr entered the greatest debate of all time, believing that one man deserved to be recognized as the greatest warrior in history.

On a pound-for-pound basis, many seem to consider Sugar Ray Robinson to be the ultimate GOAT, as evidenced by his victories over 10 Hall of Famers.

These triumphs included iconic victories over the likes of Jake LaMotta and Cuban great Kid Gavilan, while the American also avenged his loss to Randolph Turpin in 1951.

Ultimately, Robinson retired with a professional record of 174-19-6 (109 KOs), becoming a multiple-time welterweight and middleweight world champion.

However, despite his extraordinary achievements, others argue that Muhammad Ali – who defeated eight later hall of famers – is actually the uncompromising GOAT.

“The Greatest” retired with a professional record of 56-5 (37 KOs) before sadly passing away in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable legacy both in and out of the ring.

Considerable victories include victory over George Foreman and Joe Frazier, while Sonny Liston and Ken Norton are among the other Hall of Famers he has surpassed.

That’s why Spence said Premieres of boxing champions this heavyweight legend Ali is simply the greatest fighter of all time, and his accolades dwarf even Robinson’s.

Meanwhile, Spence, when asked to name the greatest jab of all time, pointed to heavyweight icon Larry Holmes and former two-division world champion Junior Jones.

In terms of punching power, “The Truth” couldn’t pick a winner among Norton, Mike Tyson and Julian Jackson, but quickly replaced Ali as the main GOAT.

When talking about his future plans, Andrade mentioned several top contenders and division champions as potential targets.

“I think the fighters that have to fight, the fights that have to happen, are like, you know, me again, Charlo, me, Berlanga, me, Mbilli, me, Plant,” Andrade told YSM Sports Media. “These are all great fights that could happen, and we’re all in the same age group and the same era of boxing, so I thought, why not do it?”

Plant, Berlanga and Mbilli are looking for a title shot, while a fight between Andrade and Jermall Charlo never materialized during their championship years.

Andrade (32-1, 19 KO) has not fought since a sixth-round loss to David Benavidez in November 2023 and will return after a nearly three-year break. The 38-year-old former champion hasn’t recorded any high-profile victories in recent years and has yet to announce an opponent for his July 24 return at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“I believe 68 is open,” Andrade said. “Boxing needs me back in the ring because there are great fights ahead of us.”

The return comes after a hard period for Andrade. He hasn’t fought since a sixth-round loss to David Benavidez in November 2023. Before that loss, his last victory was in January 2023 against Demond Nicholson.

Although Andrade spent years fighting names like Canelo Alvarez, Gennadiy Golovkin and the Charlo brothers, none of those fights came to fruition during the prime years of his career as a 154- and 160-pound champion.

Andrade is now 38 years elderly and returning after a long break. He is trying to rebuild his position in a division that includes WBC champion Christian Mbilli, former titleholder Caleb Plant and challenger Edgar Berlanga.

Andrade immediately focuses on ending his inactivity and preparing for fights that he believes should have happened years ago.

“My goal is to become world champion in three divisions: 154, 160 and then 168,” Andrade said.