Jaron Ennis became the unified WBA and WBO junior middleweight champion by stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Ennis improved to 36-0 with 32 knockouts after dropping Zayas three times before the corner stopped the bout.
"My team was speed, speed, speed," said Ennis. "It's the shot you don't see, not the power shot.
He can tense up for the power shot.
I wasn't listening a little bit, but started listening a little bit towards the end, and that's how I got the job done."
Undisputed Ambitions and Ortiz Challenge
The champion expressed that his main priority remains collecting the remaining division titles but left the door open for Vergil Ortiz Jr.
"I'm here to be undisputed and break up these belts. But if we can't get these other guys and Vergil's available, let's make it happen," said Ennis.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn praised the fight's intensity, particularly a dramatic third round where Zayas rocked Ennis.
"That was one of the most exciting, thrilling fights I have ever seen ringside," said Hearn.
"Round three, one of the greatest rounds I've ever seen… That was an absolutely beautiful example for the sport of boxing."
Hearn noted that Ennis had previously agreed to fight Ortiz before a promotional dispute sidelined the challenger.
"We took that Vergil Ortiz fight. He signed for that fight.
We took it for no belt. We took it for the fans to prove he was the best," said Hearn.
With Ennis now holding two major belts, Hearn outlined a new trajectory focused on undisputed status.
"Sorry, Vergil, in a way, we want to be undisputed, but we don't rule out that fight. It's a big fight, but he's about legacy.
It's the IBF and the WBC to win. That's the plan," said Hearn.
Ortiz watched the bout and criticized Zayas on social media following the stoppage victory.
"Xander, you looked straight to your corner after you got dropped that last time. You're a p****.
You did better than I thought you were gonna do, but you're a quitter," said Ortiz.
Trainer Robert Garcia stated before the fight that a matchup between Ortiz and Ennis remains the most crucial event for the division.
"This is the fight Vergil wants, and we as a team want it. Vergil will fight anybody.
He doesn't want to waste time with easy opponents.
Vergil only wants to face the best fighters, and Vergil vs. Boots is one of the best fights that can be made in boxing.
Boxing needs a fight like this," said Garcia.
Garcia anticipated an all-out battle reminiscent of historical middleweight classics if the two undefeated fighters meet.
"I think it will be a war, and one of the best fights you'll see.
It would be unbelievable if we get a Hagler vs. Hearns-like war," said Garcia.
The trainer acknowledged Ennis' immense skill but claimed Ortiz's pressure would present unprecedented difficulties.
"Boots is the real deal. He's talented, he's a great fighter, he has future superstar potential, and can fight like Terence Crawford.
But when he has Vergil in front of him, it's going to be a different story when they fight.
I know that Vergil's experience is going to be a big factor in that fight, and Boots is going to feel it," said Garcia.
Garcia pointed out that Ennis' willingness to engage makes him vulnerable to Ortiz's punching power.
"Boots gets hit. He has a Philadelphia fighter's mentality.
He's not a runner who does just enough to win rounds and win by decision. He takes challenges and chances, and he wants to please.
That's what makes him a fighter that fans want to see. This is going to be an exciting fight when it happens.
We should expect a great fight. I see the fight ending in the late rounds with Vergil knocking him out," said Garcia.
Golden Boy Promotions head Oscar De La Hoya clarified that the legal and contractual misunderstandings with Ortiz are nearing a resolution.
"There's nothing that makes me happier than to see fighters get in the ring and perform. Vergil Ortiz is one of the best fighters out there.
I hate not seeing him fight," said De La Hoya.
The promoter asserted that Golden Boy retains the original professional agreement with the 24-0 contender.
"We have the contracts, we have the relationships, we have Vergil Ortiz. We've had him since he was a baby, since he started boxing professionally.
We feel that we're very close and Vergil Ortiz will fight this year," said De La Hoya.
