Jaron Ennis defeats Xander Zayas by TKO to become champion

Jaron Ennis defeated Xander Zayas by TKO to secure the unified 154-pound titles in a thrilling match held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 27, 2026. Ennis, also known as "Boots," dominated the fight by scoring three knockdowns and showcasing his ability to withstand a tough challenge from Zayas. Despite being hurt in a particularly challenging Round 3, Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs) gained the upper hand as the fight progressed.

After a series of intense exchanges, the corner of Zayas (23-1, 13 KOs) threw in the towel at 1:49 of Round 7 to halt the bout, allowing Ennis to celebrate his victory among cheers and some boos from the predominantly Puerto Rican crowd. Referring to his opponent, Ennis commended Zayas for his courage, stating, "He wanted to test himself against one of the best in the division and I commend him for that. This was a dream. I was having fun putting on a show for the fans and I got the job done. It's a blessing to be a two-time unified champion."

Switching to a southpaw stance in the first round, Ennis effectively landed a barrage of combinations and significantly hurt Zayas with quick left hands that led to early knockdowns. However, Zayas showcased remarkable resilience, managing to hurt Ennis in the third round, reflecting on the match by saying, "I feel like I hurt him [in Round 3] and hit him with good shots but he's a great champion."

By Round 5, Ennis reasserted his dominance, landing a powerful combination that floored Zayas again. Zayas barely survived the round as the referee almost intervened. In the decisive Round 7, a series of punches prompted Zayas to take a knee, leading his corner to stop the fight to prevent further damage. Zayas expressed satisfaction with his performance despite the loss, adding, "If you dream big, sometimes you come up short but it's part of the journey. I'm happy with my performance. But congratulations to 'Boots.'"

This victory positions Ennis as a top contender in the boxing world, further solidifying his reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters following his previous title reign at 147 pounds.