Veteran trainer says a victory over Xander Zayas could launch Jaron “Boots” Ennis toward boxing’s biggest stage

Trainer Stephen Edwards believes Jaron “Boots” Ennis has everything needed to become boxing’s next major star if he defeats Xander Zayas on Saturday. Edwards says Ennis’ future should be decided by victories in the ring rather than promotional hype.

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“The better fighter that keeps winning at the top level is always going to be the best for boxing,” Edwards said to the Sean Zittel channel.

“Allow the star to be the star. Allow the great fighter to just be a great fighter and win the fights that they have to win, and then they could be the star.”

Edwards said Ennis does not need special treatment or a manufactured push to become one of the sport’s biggest attractions.

“Boots is not a bad thing. If Boots runs this table at 54, he’s going to go in the Pantheon as one of the best 54-pounders of the last couple of decades,” Edwards said.

“He’s going to go on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and he’s going to be the star.”

Edwards then compared Ennis’ upside to two of the biggest names of the modern era.

“You can market him as the next Crawford because he’s a knockout artist and he’s undefeated, or you can market him as the next Mayweather, and they could be on their quest to get to 50-0.”

Boots and Xander are scheduled to meet Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in one of the biggest fights of the year at 154 pounds.