Ennis is certainly capable of a first-round blowout against almost anyone because of his punch selection and how quickly he finds the range. However, Zayas is a huge step up in ring IQ compared to the guys that Ennis usually blows away early.
Boots was asked if Zayas represented the best opponent he had faced, a question he declined to answer directly due to the unknown of not yet sharing the ring.
Ennis acknowledged Zayas brings more variety than many at 154 pounds, which separates him from a division he described as largely forward-moving in style.
“I think he has a better skill set than most of those guys at 54,” Ennis said.
By acknowledging that Zayas has a better skill set than the rest of the 154-pounders, Ennis basically confirms why a first-round KO is such a tall order. Most guys at junior middleweight try to impose their will physically, but Zayas actually uses his brain.
If Zayas is truly the most skilled guy Ennis has faced at this weight, he’ll have the composure to weather that scary first minute. If he sticks to his game plan and uses the holding tactic, he turns this from a highlight reel blowout into a grueling tactical battle.
The match materialized after talks for a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. fell apart, with Ennis pushing his team to pursue Zayas as the next available option. The fight will be a move into a new division for Ennis, who was previously targeting an undisputed run at 147 before those plans came to a screeching halt.
The goal remains unchanged for ‘Boots’ Ennis, regardless of opponent or weight. “I’m here for undisputed, and I’m here to collect the belts,” he said.
