Algieri reveals what he hears about boots Ennis in Sparring

The undefeated Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) moves up to 154 pounds after vacating his welterweight belts, and Algieri believes the added weight could unlock an even better version of the Philadelphia native.

“The reports I hear about ‘Boots’ in the gym, but I’m talking about guys who are there first hand,” said Chris Algieri on Inside Boxing. “He breaks rib cages. He breaks noses. I’ve heard from guys I really trust. Trainers who are friends of mine, who tell me, ‘Look, wait’.”

Algieri says much of Ennis’ recent success in training can be attributed to the fact that he no longer has to drain to the 147-pound limit.

“A lot of it, I think, had to do with the weight. He really hurt himself making weight at 147,” Algieri said. “He even said it himself that he sees himself at 168 at some point. Maybe that’s going to be his peak.”

From what Algieri says, Ennis’ size always suggested that welterweight would only be a temporary stop.

“That’s how great this young man is, and what he does, and sacrifices where he is,” Algieri said. “We haven’t seen the best of ‘Boots’ yet. We might not see Boots’ best until 60 or 68. Look at Terence Crawford. He got better as he got bigger.”

Algieri believes many fans underestimate the toll that making weight can take on a fighter over a long career.

“A lot of guys don’t understand what it takes from you to make weight. Twelve rounds is a long time,” Algieri said. “If you don’t get a guy out of there at the start, the weight advantage can actually hurt you.”

He also pointed to Ennis’ athletic style as something that could be affected by severe weight loss.

“But also just the reactions, especially a guy like ‘Boots,’ who is so reactive and athletic. If you get taken down just a short percentage, it can affect everything because of his style,” Algieri said.

The accolades come as the betting odds continue to increase in Ennis’ favor, despite Zayas bringing an undefeated 23-0 record into the fight. Algieri believes that word of Ennis’ performances behind closed doors could sway punters and oddsmakers alike.

“But I’ve heard some bad reports, and that’s maybe why the line is changing,” Algieri said. “The reports are leaking, and people are getting caught up in the gym because the line has gotten really, really wide.”

While the sparring stories have generated excitement, Zayas has yet to lose as a professional and enters the fight as a unified champion. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican captured the WBA junior middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Abass Baraou in January before adding the vacant WBO belt with another unanimous decision victory over Jorge Garcia Perez.

Critics argue that Top Rank has closely matched Zayas since he turned professional in 2019. Against both Baraou and Garcia Perez, he relied heavily on movement, jabs and clinch to neutralize their offense and control the pace over 12 rounds.

Ennis enters the fray with advantages in power, experience and proven opposition. If the reports coming out of his training camp are accurate, June 27 could be the arrival of a stronger version of the former unified welterweight champion.

The Ennis-Zayas fight made headlines a DAZN PPV card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Chris Algieri says trainers told him Boots broke sparring partners’ noses and ribs in camp to prepare for Xander Zayas😳

Trainers I trust told me he destroyed guys and to just watch and wait👀-

🎥: @boks_binne #Box #ZayasBoots pic.twitter.com/fp3FQlKm9R

— Pound4Pound (@Pound4our4Pound) June 17, 2026