Gary Antuanne Russell analyzes title fight between Xander Zayas and Boots Ennis

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Gary Antuanne Russell puts his analyst cap on to discuss this weekend’s super welterweight title fight, with unified champion Xander Zayas defending two belts against challenger Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. In looking at the fight from his perspective, Russell explains why he favors Boots to win but cautions him that he can’t afford to be reckless or ill-prepared as Zayas is a proud young champion who won’t easily fold. Here’s some of what he had to say below. Russell on Zayas vs Boots “I’m going with Boots. Now, Xander is no slouch — young vigor, strong, good head movement, in shape, coming to fight, and he got something to lose. He’s going to give it his all. It’s going to be a wonderful fight. Something that Boots got is ability that can’t be taught. He just got natural swagger with him, his style. He do some stuff that some people can’t even train to develop and I feel that’s going to win him over, on top of him being in training camp with Canelo Alvarez, a guy who’s much bigger, a veteran, much stronger, and wise. So I’m pretty sure he picked up some tools, some tips from him. “For the most part he got a tough match in front of him. Xander is not about to lay down for Boots. He don’t care about no name, he don’t care about what everybody been saying about you…he coming to fight. “I feel like they’re both going to respect each other early on ‘cause anybody can do the right thing when a fighter’s fresh. Now when later rounds come, that’s when we’re going to see the true fight kick in.” On his amateur fights with Boots and what he remembers from them “I remember he was a tough competitor, that’s what I remember. he was always a tough competitor…Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is badass. He grew. Now, everybody still got kinks in their armor, that’s why it’s necessary for you to always practice and constantly sharpen your tools. But I feel like Xander, man, going to show Boots where his ass is at and Boots and going to have to pick up that call, he’s going to have to impose his will, back him off of him because Xander is coming to fight. “Boots cannot play with this boy. Xander will have Boots looking at the lights, it’ll be an upset. Xander got some pop…He’s coming to work and he’s smart, too. Textbook, but he’s smart…A lot of times hard work can beat talent. “[Zayas] is a textbook fighter but he’s obedient and he’s not going to take any risks. He’s going to do what’s responsible. And I feel like Boots going to have to take that away from him. But I’m going with Boots at the end of the day.” BLH will have full coverage of this weekend’s title fight on Saturday evening!

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Xander Zayas punches Slawa Spomer during their junior middleweight fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images With Xander Zayas set to defend his super welterweight titles this weekend against Boots Ennis, he recently joined The Ariel Helwani Show to talk about being on the big stage and being confident that he’s going to come out on top. With Boots and Sebastian Fundora considered the top two other fighters in his weight class, Zayas was asked to assess both. “Fundora’s a good fighter,” Zayas said. “I mean, he’s a champion for a reason. He’s earned everything he’s gotten, so good fighter. Not great. There’s a lot of flaws in his game. I mean, not too long ago is when he started using the jab. Being 6’5” I would’ve been using my jab my whole life. His boxing skills is very flat-footed, likes to fight on the inside, likes to take a lot of damage. There’s a lot of flaws in his game that maybe causal fans don’t see but I do see. But he’s a good fighter. “[Boots is flat-footed, too]. He knows it. I feel like he does…I’m going to win. I’m going to win like I always do. To be honest, I’m ready to go 12 rounds if I need to. I’m ready to take advantage of the opportunities. I already envisioned all the opportunities I can take advantage of and I visualize them and I see them every night as I go to sleep. Every mistake that I can do, every good thing that I can do, I try to see everything, I try to play everything out in my head.” Zayas gets his chance to prove himself right this Saturday night, and we’ll be here at BLH will full live coverage!

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Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis can’t afford to take Xander Zayas lightly, says Gary Antuanne Russell.