Terence Crawford has backed Jaron Ennis to defeat Xander Zayas when the pair face each other for the unified super-welterweight titles later this month.
Ennis moved up from welterweight last year after winning the IBF and WBA titles at 147 pounds, belts previously held by Crawford. In his first appearance at 154 pounds, ‘Boots’ made an immediate statement by stopping Uisma Lima inside the opening round.
Now Ennis faces the toughest test of his short run in the division when he takes on undefeated WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas.
Reflecting on the match, Crawford praised Zayas for taking on such a challenge at this stage of his career, but ultimately sided with Ennis to get the job done.
“Man, it’s a tough fight, especially for Xander at this point in his career, but it shows his heart and his confidence that he has in himself. He’s ready to go make history for his country, and he’s going to do really well in that fight,” Crawford told Jai McAllister’s channel.
“I just think that right now it’s a little bit too early for him.”
A win for Ennis would move him one step closer to becoming the undisputed champion at 154 pounds. Sebastian Fundora currently holds the WBC title, while Josh Kelly is expected to make the first defense of his IBF belt against Caoimhin Agyarko on July 25.
Zayas, meanwhile, will look to prove Crawford’s assessment wrong by handing Ennis the first loss of his professional career and establishing himself as the premier force in the division.
Ennis and Zayas are scheduled to meet on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with the unified super welterweight titles on the line.
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Last updated on 2026/06/16 at 23:58
