The New York State Athletic Commission intervened after Xander Zayas’ camp questioned the length of Ennis’ beard before Saturday’s unified championship bout
Jaron “Boots” Ennis has been ordered to trim his beard before Saturday night’s unified junior middleweight title fight after the New York State Athletic Commission upheld a request from Xander Zayas’ camp. Team Ennis says only a small trim is required and expects the ruling to have no impact on the fight.
There was a request by Xander Zayas’ team that Boots trim his beard going into this fight on Saturday night,” DAZN commentator Chris Mannix said.
Ennis was initially unwilling to make the change, but the commission ultimately ruled that a slight trim would be required before he enters the ring.
“Boots politely declined that request, but the New York Commission came in and said he does need to trim his beard down a little bit. I talked to Bozy Ennis, the father and trainer, who said it’s not a big deal. It’s just a small amount, but there will be a little bit of reduction in that beard when Boots takes on Xander Zayas on Saturday night.”
The adjustment is not expected to affect the bout itself. Ennis weighed 153 pounds for his first world title fight at 154 pounds, while Zayas came in slightly heavier at 153.8 pounds. The unbeaten rivals meet Saturday night with Zayas’ WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles on the line.
🚨 Jaron Ennis will have to trim his beard! 🚨
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