Bozy Ennis reflects on his fighters, influences and boots title fight with Xander Zayas

When asked about some of the fighters he has trained over the years, Bozy listed an impressive group of names.

“Anthony Thompson, Demetrius Hopkins, Ray Robinson, Coy Evans, Prince Ajuma, Rasheem Brown, Andy Cruz, Bryant Jennings, Stephen Fulton, Oshae Jones and Haven Brady,” Bozy said.

Bozy was also asked which coaches and teachers he considered to be among the best in boxing.

“Georgie Benton, Bouie Fisher, Sloan Harrison, Mitch Allen, Melvin ‘Rev’ Thompson, Al Fennell, Al Styles Sr., Jim Robinson, Howard Moses, Nasim Richardson, Jimmy Glenn, Fred Jenkins, Roger Mayweather, Sam Hickman and Sam Solomon,” he said.

The veteran trainer also teased a proposed fight between Boots and Vergil Ortiz Jr. addressed which never materialized.

“There was a conflict between Oscar De La Hoya and Ortiz’s manager,” said Bozy.

Asked about the previously discussed possibility of a fight with Terence Crawford, Bozy pointed to issues involving Crawford’s side during negotiations.

“His group BLK messed it up. They wanted Boots to leave Showtime, and I was close to Showtime’s Espinoza,” Bozy said.

As for Boots’ upcoming challenge against Zayas, Bozy offered a blunt assessment of the undefeated champion as he expressed confidence in how training camp is progressing.

“Go for Boots as usual,” said Bozy. “Xander is a good fighter.”

The June 27 clash will headline a Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank co-promotion at Barclays Center and will be available on DAZN PPV. For Boots, this represents an opportunity to become a unified champion in a second weight class. For Bozy, it’s another chapter in a career spent developing fighters and passing on the lessons he learned from some of boxing’s most respected trainers.