Richard Torrez Jr. say fans look at Xander Zayas

“I think people underestimate Xander so much. It’s insane to me,” Torrez said Fight Hub TV. “People are all like, ‘Xander’s not ready for Boots. Boots is going to wash him out.’ Xander is a world champion, like a multiple belt world champion.”

Torrez said many fans look at Zayas for his age rather than what he has already accomplished inside the ring.

“I think people just overlook him because he’s so young,” Torrez said. “I give it to Xander. I think his boxing ability, his ring IQ, his presence, his stature, it’s going to be hard for anybody to beat him.”

The undefeated heavyweight contender also provided a technical breakdown for how he believes Zayas could trouble Ennis.

“I think Xander needs to pass out and get Boots off his rhythm,” Torrez said. “I’d like to see Xander continue his lateral movement. Getting him to pick up his feet and move is going to throw a counter puncher out of his game.”

Torrez added that Ennis looked dominant, in part because of the style matchups he’s gotten in recent fights, though he still praised Ennis as one of boxing’s elite fighters.

“I think Boots is a great fighter,” Torrez said. “But I think it’s going to be a different fight against Xander because this guy doesn’t fit the status quo of the last few fighters Boots has fought.”

Zayas and Ennis are expected to meet in one of the biggest fights of the summer, with many fans already treating Ennis as the clear favorite.