Boxing
Xander Zayas risks unified 154-pound titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Published
7 months agoon
Xander Zayas will dare to achieve even more as he defends his world titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis in an eye-catching super welterweight clash this summer.
The June 27 fight will bring together one of boxing’s youngest unified champions and a fighter considered by many to be the toughest challenge at 154 pounds.
Zayas (23-0, 13 KO) unified the titles in January in Puerto Rico after defeating Abass Baraou by split decision, becoming the youngest unified champion in the sport and the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight.
The 23-year-old now returns to Novel York for his ninth appearance in the city, returning less than a year after winning his first world title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden when he dominated Jorge Garcia to capture the vacant WBO belt.
Zayas is moving forward
Many champions ponderous down once they reach the top. Zayas seems determined to do the opposite.
After winning the WBO title and unifying shortly thereafter, the Puerto Rican star once again steps right into a perilous fight against a man widely viewed as one of the most perilous opponents at 154 pounds.
“Long before I became world champion,” Zayas said. “I have always strived to face the biggest challenges in my division. I have never shied away from a fight and have always been ready to test my skills against anyone.
“Now, as unified champion, I am ready to defend my world titles against one of the biggest names in the sport. I have always believed in myself and on June 27, I will continue to show the world what is possible when you dare to be great!”
Ennis Eyes Instant effect
For Ennis (35-0, 31 KO), the fight in Brooklyn is a chance to immediately settle in a modern division.
The Philadelphia star unified the welterweight titles in April with a dominant victory over Eimantas Stanionis, adding the WBA belt to his IBF crown.
After moving seven pounds from 147 pounds, Ennis wasted no time in signaling his intentions, stopping Uisma Lima in the round to capture the WBA interim title.
The victory over Zayas means Ennis will become the unified champion of the second weight division.
This also follows the failure of the previously discussed Vergil Ortiz fight, leaving Ennis looking forward to a win that will strengthen his position in future negotiations at the weight.
“It’s time to step in and take back those belts!” Ennis said. “Knocking them down one by one. And modern!”
Gameplay in Brooklyn
The fight will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a venue that has hosted several major boxing events over the past decade.
“What a fight!” said Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m thrilled to give Jaron this fight – it’s exactly the kind of opportunity that brings the best out of the future number one in the weight division pound for pound.
“Boots shined so glowing against Stanionis in Atlantic City in his first unification fight, and I expect him to lightweight up Brooklyn on June 27.
“But Xander is an exceptional fighter and he deserves a lot of credit for wanting to fight the best.”
Top President Todd duBoef added: “We signed Xander at age 16 and have witnessed his growth into the sport’s youngest current unified champion and a rising superstar.
“Competing against the best has always been Xander’s priority, and ‘Boots’ Ennis takes another step towards proving greatness in only his second title defense.”
The collapse of the Ortiz fight briefly derailed Ennis’ immediate plans, but becoming the unified champion at 154 pounds keeps the division moving and puts two of the summer’s most perilous youthful fighters on the same stage.
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.
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Boxing
Lester Martinez Aims for Canelo Alvarez with BoMacs Support
Published
3 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Lester Martinez would give Canelo Alvarez a dangerous first defense of his reclaimed WBC super middleweight title. The aggressive Guatemalan can punch and has Brian “BoMac” McIntyre in his corner, giving him access to the trainer who helped Terence Crawford beat Canelo.
“My dream now is to fight Canelo because he’s the champion,” Martinez said to Izquierdazo Boxeo in a quote shared by The Ring. His WBC interim title gives that ambition substance, although it does not establish that Canelo has been ordered to face him next.
The McIntyre connection makes this more interesting than another contender requesting a payday. BoMac knows what went into preparing Crawford for Canelo and could bring that knowledge into Martinez’s camp. The WBC lists McIntyre as Martinez’s trainer. wbcboxing.com
Crawford could also offer firsthand advice about Canelo’s timing, counterpunching and habits under pressure. His involvement in a potential camp has not been announced, but Martinez would have an obvious reason to seek his stablemate’s input.
Mbilli took too long to alter his approach when Canelo’s jab and head movement disrupted his pressure last weekend. He continued following Canelo without consistently changing how he attacked. Martinez would likely arrive expecting those tactics, with McIntyre preparing ways to get past the jab and vary his attack.
That would not make Lester immune to Canelo’s counters. It could, however, reduce the rounds spent trying to work out what to do next. BoMac could prepare alternatives before the opening bell and help Martinez adjust between rounds when Canelo starts frustrating him.
Martinez would still need to win with his own tools. He cannot copy Crawford’s performance. His route would involve sustained pressure, body punching and enough variation to prevent Canelo from anticipating each attack.
His 2025 draw with Mbilli gives him a relevant result against the man Canelo just defeated. Beating Canelo is another matter, but an aggressive puncher arriving with informed preparation would be a serious undertaking for the 36-year-old champion.
Boxing
Tyson Fury Unleashes Wilder KO Strategy to Overcome Anthony Joshua
Published
3 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Tyson Fury is going back to the playbook behind his most destructive night. He is targeting 280 pounds when he meets Anthony Joshua on December 11 in Cardiff. He wants the crushing bulk that battered Deontay Wilder years ago. Scaling up to that number on the scales is easy. Recreating that vintage menace nearly seven years later is a totally different story.
Fury announced his intentions directly to his fans online. “Big boy 280lbs incoming,” he posted. “Not your average build. However, the love handles are used for energy.” He already promised a blistering pace out of the gate, followed by a quick stoppage.
Back in February 2020, Fury stepped on the scale at 273 pounds before stopping Wilder in round seven. That was Fury at his peak as an aggressive bruiser. He bullied Wilder backward. He draped his weight over the champion, forcing him to haul around all that mass. Wilder could never find the space needed to trigger his lethal right hand.
Every single pound had a purpose back then because Fury used his bulk masterfully. He smothered Wilder immediately after throwing punches. He disrupted every attempt to recover. He kept trapping Wilder in corners where mounting any counter was nearly impossible. It was relentless physical pressure from a guy focused on total control.
Joshua is a distinct challenge, yet the logic makes total sense. Giving Joshua breathing room allows him to set his feet to unleash heavy shots. Chasing him down can trigger panic before his offense even starts. Fury would immediately test Joshua’s nerves under fire.
The big worry is the condition of those 280 pounds. Fury reached 281 pounds for the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, looking soft around the waist. That outing provided zero evidence that piling on weight makes him more dangerous.
To handle Joshua, Fury needs agile footwork to cut off escape routes. He needs sharp reflexes to slip incoming fire. He needs enough gas in the tank to keep pressing once the initial charge fades. If Joshua survives that opening assault, the extra pounds could become a heavy burden as the rounds accumulate.
Fury picked a blueprint with real history. Replicating the monster who conquered Wilder is the real challenge.
Boxing
Shakur Stevenson Analyzes Canelos Decision Victory Over Christian Mbilli for WBC Title
Published
10 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Canelo Alvarez returned to the super-middleweight throne with a decision victory over Christian Mbilli on Saturday, and when summarising the performance, pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson made his thoughts on the display extremely clear.
At 36-years-old, off the back of both the longest inactive streak of his career and a defeat last time out, Canelo entered the Riyadh ring with many fight fans doubting whether the career of the Mexican superstar was nearing the end.
However, the four-division world champion instead recaptured the WBC super-middleweight title as he handed Mbilli a first career defeat.
Canelo’s experience, ring IQ and accuracy ultimately proving to be too much for the French-Cameroonian champion as he won a unanimous decision with scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110.
That performance has once again made Alvarez the man to beat in the 168lb scene, with each of his fellow world titleholders at the weight desperate to secure a lucrative unification opportunity on his mooted spring 2027 return.
Speaking shortly after witnessing the win, reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Stevenson took to X to praise the efforts of Canelo both on the night and across his career as a whole, labelling the veteran as both a ‘GOAT’ and a ‘legend’.
Canelo is a 🐐, Respect legend!! @canelo
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 1, 2026
“Canelo is a [GOAT]Respect legend!!! @canelo”
As far as what is next for Alvarez, it seems as though he will fight again in in either April or May for the final bout of his four-fight contract with Riyadh Season.
At present, Hamzah Sheeraz would likely be deemed as the frontrunnerif Terence Crawford refuses to comeback for the rematch.
Report: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Michelle Montague postponed to UFC 335 on Dec. 12
Lester Martinez Aims for Canelo Alvarez with BoMacs Support
Tyson Fury Unleashes Wilder KO Strategy to Overcome Anthony Joshua
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