Jaron Ennis Says Xander Zayas Looked ‘Bony’ Before Weigh-In

Ennis dismisses rumors about Zayas’ weight cut but says the unified junior middleweight champion appeared noticeably lean during fight week

Jaron “Boots” Ennis says he has not heard that Xander Zayas is struggling to make weight, but admitted the unified junior middleweight champion looked “bony” ahead of Saturday night’s title fight. Ennis said his only concern is that Zayas makes the 154-pound limit so the fight goes ahead as planned.

Asked about speculation surrounding WBA and WBO junior middleweight champion Zayas’ weight cut, Ennis said he hadn’t heard anything about him having problems making the 154-pound limit.

“I ain’t heard that. No,” Ennis said to Sean Zittel.

When asked if Zayas appeared to be struggling based on their faceoff, Ennis replied: “I mean, he looked bony, so… yeah.”

Ennis didn’t dwell on the subject, making it clear his only concern is ensuring the fight moves forward as scheduled.

“I don’t care. Just make sure he make weight. Just make sure he make weight. Make sure he get there and make this fight happen. As long as he make weight, that’s cool,” said Ennis.

You could see it written all over him. Zayas was definitely living the good life and enjoying the spoils of that win against Abass Baraou. When you balloon up like that between camps, cutting down to 154 pounds is pure torture. It completely explains why Boots called him “bony” and why he looks so utterly drained right now.

That massive weight drop is going to be a huge factor on Saturday night. If Zayas had to leave his entire engine on the scales just to make weight, Boots is going to feast. Taking that kind of punishment from a monster puncher like Ennis when you’re completely dried out is a recipe for disaster.

The unbeaten Philadelphia native appeared relaxed throughout Thursday’s media scrum, repeatedly predicting a knockout while brushing aside questions about future fights and criticism of his past performances.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) challenges unified WBA and WBO junior middleweight champion Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at Barclays Center. The winner will take a major step toward an undisputed championship fight at 154 pounds.

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