‘One by one’: Boots Ennis ready for all-comers at 154

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 11: Jaron Ennis weighs in for his IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight championship fight against Eimantas Stanionis at the Circus Maximus at Caesars Atlantic City on April 11, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis prepares for his upcoming world title shot against Xander Zayas at 154 lbs, he talks to Ring Magazine about the fight and his general plans to demonstrate that all his hype has been well founded. While Boots says he’s strictly focused on the task at hand, he would be pressed about his thoughts on what’s to come, to which he emphasized that he came up to super welterweight to take on all challenges en route to going undisputed.

Ennis on wanting to make a statement at 154

“I’m excited. This what I been waiting for, being on the big stage, and ya’ll know I come alive when a big fight is in hand and the stakes is high. That’s where I shine my best, and I’m excited.”

On what strengths he sees in Zayas

“He definitely a solid fighter. He’s a unified champion for a reason. I feel like he’s getting better but I’m about to show the world why there’s really levels and why I’m really different like that.”

On the prospects of having to get through Fundora to claim the 154 crown

“My goal right now is Xander Zayas. We not worrying about no one else right now but after I’m victorious on June 27th and I become unified champ at 154, bring him on. I don’t want to sound repetitive but I’m going to continue to keep saying that.

“I feel great about the 154 division right now. There’s a lot of top guys, a lot of big names at this division and I’m just excited. I’m ready to take over the division, one by one.”