Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, the rising star of Philadelphia's boxing scene, is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown against the unified super welterweight champion, Xander Zayas. This fight, set for June 27, promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy as Ennis aims to reclaim the belts and solidify his place in the sport.
Ennis, known for his versatility and intelligence in the ring, has been making waves in the boxing world. His recent sparring sessions with the legendary Canelo Alvarez have been a topic of interest, but Ennis remains focused on his own journey. He emphasizes that sparring is a tool for self-improvement, not a measure of one's worth in the sport.
"Great work," he says, "I was picking his brain and things like that, just getting better. Sparring is sparring, just working on things and just trying to better myself... I don’t speak on sparring, I’m not one of them type of guys. As long as I’m doing the things I’m supposed to be doing and working on the things I’m supposed to be working on, all that sparring — who did this, who did that — it don’t really mean nothing to me... Sparring is for you to physically work on stuff."
Ennis' confidence in his abilities is evident in his self-description as a 'variety' of fighter. He believes he can adapt to any style, whether it's boxer-puncher, inside fighting, or mid-range battles. His IQ, he claims, is a key asset that sets him apart.
"I’m a variety," he asserts. "I can do it all. I can do whatever, I do what I want. I feel like I’m a boxer-puncher, I can walk people down, I can do inside fighting, outside fighting, mid-range — whatever you want, I can do it and I got the IQ to do it."
Ennis' passion for boxing extends beyond the ring. He takes pride in representing Philadelphia, a city known for its rich boxing history. He aims to build upon the legacy of previous champions and continue the city's tradition of producing top-tier fighters.
"It means a lot to put the city on my back," he says, "and take the legacy to the next level and just continue to rise on different occasions... When it comes to boxing, I feel like we got the best fighters. Philly got so many good fighters, great fighters, they just get sidetracked from the streets and the girls, this, that and the third. There’s so much unseen talent that you guys don’t see."
When asked about his opponent, Xander Zayas, Ennis acknowledges Zayas' skills but believes he has the edge. He sees Zayas as a solid fighter with more tools than Vergil Ortiz, but ultimately, he predicts that the belts will return to Philadelphia on fight night.
"Xander is a solid fighter," Ennis says. "I think he got a little bit more tools than Ortiz, maybe. He can box a little better but I feel like Vergil is somewhat the better fighter... Xander is not a bad fighter, he’s solid. He’s a unified champ, you can’t take nothing away from him. But on fight night, them belts are coming back to Philadelphia, straight like that."
Ennis' journey towards becoming a unified champion is a testament to his dedication and skill. As he prepares for the upcoming bout, the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcome, knowing that the belts are indeed coming back to Philadelphia.
