“I’m just excited to fight one, you know, a guy who has two belts, the guy who is insideyou know, one of the top guys in the division. I’m ready to silence everyone,” Ennis told Matchroom Boxing.

This was an intriguing choice of words by Ennis. He could have simply described Zayas as a world champion, belt holder, or one of the division’s elite fighters. Instead, he called him “the guy who’s on top.”

For many fans, the meaning of this phrase will immediately resonate.

Whether it’s a popular audience at school, established circles in the workplace, or simply feeling left out despite proving yourself, most people understand the difference between those who are a “work in progress” and those who are still trying to earn acceptance.

Ennis spent most of his professional career in the latter category.

Despite establishing an undefeated record, winning world titles and earning a reputation as one of boxing’s most talented fighters, the Philadelphia native was often left out of the biggest conversations in the sport. While names like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Conor Benn made headlines thanks to their competition, social media presence and promotional support, Ennis largely let his performances do the talking.

But now he believes his moment has come.

“I feel like after this fight I’m the man, you know, in every division. So I feel like I’m taking over boxing, you know, starting June 27,” Ennis said.

Later in the video, Ennis sounded like a fighter convinced that June 27 was his chance to break into boxing’s biggest conversations.

“June 27, gigantic knockout… whatever he thinks he’s doing, I’m doing a lot better,” Ennis said. “You can’t jab better than me, not faster than me, not better than me, not harder than me, your defense is not better than mine, and your footwork is not better than mine. You know, these are the levels. I am the best in the world.”

Zayas enters the fight as the current WBA and WBO 154-pound champion and one of the most recognizable figures in the division. For Ennis, beating a fighter he considers “the guy who’s in it” would mean more than just adding two more belts to his collection.

This would be an opportunity to finally move from the periphery of boxing to the very center of discussion in sports.

Ennis and Zayas will fight on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Novel York, with the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Just weeks after defeating Junto Nakatani in a historic all-Japan bout, Naoya Inoue is being heavily linked to another “inevitable” rivalry.

Inoue, a four-division world champion, is currently considered the number one pound-for-pound weight in boxing, with last month’s triumph over Nakatani considered the best victory of his career, which cemented his position in first place.

While many fans were eager to see “The Monster” move up in weight again in an attempt to conquer as many divisions as possible, many are now hoping he hits the brakes and stays at 122 pounds for a while.

That’s because of a potential super fight with former unified super flyweight world champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who will move up to bantamweight on Saturday but is then willing to take another chance in his pursuit of Inoue.

I’m talking to Ring MagazineRodriguez maintained he was focused on this weekend’s clash with WBA bantamweight world champion Antonio Vargas, but admitted a meeting with Inoue seemed “inevitable.”

“Honestly, no [I am not thinking about the Naoya Inoue fight]. Like I said, one fight at a time. My focus is on Antonio Vargas, but I know that when that Inoue fight happens, the fans will be in for a great night of boxing.

“People are already talking so much about this fight that it is inevitable at this point and I feel like when the time comes it will be a great fight – probably one of the best in all of boxing history.”

Vargas vs. fight Rodriguez will take place on June 13 at the Desert Diamond Arena, and “Bam” will want to win world honors in the third league and fight one of the biggest fights in boxing.

Terence Crawford was discussing the one fight he always wanted when one of boxing’s strangest stories about Manny Pacquiao came to lithe.

In a recent podcast appearance, Crawford made it clear that Pacquiao remains an opponent he regrets never having had the opportunity to face.

“Pacquiao for sure. One thousand percent,” Crawford said when asked which fight came to lithe.

The conversation quickly turned to a fight, which Crawford admitted he had never seen.

Former challenger Nedal “Skinny” Hussein sat next to Crawford when the Australian’s controversial 2000 clash with Pacquiao became the subject of discussion.

A fight Crawford didn’t see coming

Hussein reminded those in attendance that he dumped Pacquiao during their WBC International super bantamweight title fight in the Philippines.

According to official records, Pacquiao hit the canvas in the fourth round, then recovered to stop Hussein in the tenth.

When Hussein explained what happened years later, Crawford seemed surprised.

“The judge came out and admitted that. I took care of him. We helped him,” Hussein said, referring to former official Carlos Padilla.

-You think so? Crawford replied.

Hussein then recalled how Padilla later admitted to extending the count after the knockdown and helping Pacquiao survive the crisis.

“I wasn’t a professional back then,” Crawford replied when the details were explained.

The fight that got away

The exchange took place moments after Crawford admitted that Pacquiao was the fight he wanted most.

Even though they spent years together under the Top Rank banner, the couple never shared a ring.

Bob Arum previously revealed there were attempts to pit Pacquiao against Crawford, including discussions about a lucrative event in Abu Dhabi. However, the fight never took place.

By the time Pacquiao left the sport, Crawford was no longer on the same promotional tour that ultimately led him to PBC.

The fight remains one of boxing’s biggest missed opportunities.

A story Crawford has never heard

Hussein’s account stems from a controversy that erupted in 2022 when Carlos Padilla admitted helping Pacquiao during the fight while discussing the contest in an interview with WBC.

The veteran referee said he extended the knockdown count and later ruled the headbutt was a punch, sparking a worldwide debate and prompting a furious response from Hussein more than two decades after the fight.

Pacquiao later asked why Padilla made such confessions when footage of the fight was available for all to see.

More than twenty-five years later, the controversy continues to find recent audiences.

Crawford never got the Pacquiao fight he wanted.

Instead, he heard one of the strangest stories surrounding Pacquiao’s rise from little-known champion to global superstar.

For a fighter who still calls Pacquiao the one who got away, it was an unexpected return to one of the most controversial chapters in the Filipino legend’s career.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.