Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, undefeated in 36 professional fights with 31 knockouts and world championships at 147lb and 154lb, faces Xander Zayas in a title unification bout on Saturday at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The Philadelphia native, who turns 29 on Friday, has long been viewed as boxing's next great star, yet he remains in a position where his breakthrough is still anticipated despite his achievements.
Legacy and Philadelphia Roots
Ennis, the WBA's interim champion at 154lb and a former WBA and IBF title-holder at welterweight, sees the fight as part of his 'legacy tour.' He told the Guardian: 'First of all for me, it's a legacy thing. I call this the legacy tour and we just getting started. I was unified lineal champion at 147 and I'm about to be unified champ again at 154. So, it's already written.'
Growing up in Philadelphia's Germantown section and attending John Story Jenks Academy and Walter Biddle Saul High School, Ennis credits his upbringing for his fighting spirit. 'It means everything to be from Philadelphia and be a Philadelphia fighter. With us, we always find a way to win. Philly got a different swag and demeanor. We carry ourselves different from everybody else,' he said.
Career and Criticism
Despite his record and pedigree, Ennis has faced criticism over the quality of his opposition, a situation similar to what Terence Crawford experienced before his fight with Errol Spence Jr. Ennis, however, is unfazed. 'At this point, it really don't even matter to me. As long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and that's winning and putting on a show and looking good, I don't really care what nobody say,' he stated.
During training camp, Ennis avoids social media, focusing solely on preparation. 'When I'm in camp, don't be on the internet. Just post whatever you got to post and get off,' he explained.
The Zayas Fight
Saturday's bout against Zayas, a 23-year-old Puerto Rican who unified the WBA and WBO titles, is one of the most anticipated fights of the year. Oddsmakers have installed Ennis as a 5-1 favorite. Ennis pushed for the fight after a potential matchup with Vergil Ortiz Jr. fell through due to contractual issues. 'Once I figured out that we wasn't going to be able to make the Ortiz fight, I told Eddie: Yo, go get me Xander, please. He the next best option. He got two belts. He got what I want,' Ennis said.
Ennis respects Zayas for taking the fight. 'You got to respect him for taking the fight. You can't say he's too young. He a champion. He got two titles at that. And I don't want to hear none of that after I beat him,' he added.
Family Legacy
Ennis's father, Derek 'Bozy' Ennis, is a respected trainer who ran Bozy's Dungeon gyms. His older brothers, Derek 'Pooh' Ennis and Farah Ennis, were contenders whose careers stalled. Boots aims to elevate the family name. 'That was my part, just to take my last name to the next level, and that's what I'm doing. It mean everything. It mean a lot. Like I said, I'm putting on for my last name,' he said.
His father taught him to be himself. 'Always be yourself. Don't be no follower. Be a leader. Stay to yourself. You don't need a bunch of people around you. Have a nice small circle and people that you can trust,' Ennis recalled.
Defense and Future
Ennis pushes back on criticism of his defense. 'I feel like people be underlooking my defense. My defense is really crazy. I feel like one person said one thing and then all of a sudden I get hit too much. They're going to see on fight night though,' he said.
Looking ahead, Ennis envisions his legacy. 'When my career is done and I retire as an undefeated legend, the best in the world, the best ever, I want people to say: I want to be like him when I get older,' he concluded.
