Timothy Bradley says Xander Zayas fades late under pressure

Bradley points to weight cut and fading pace, says Ennis can take over in championship rounds

Timothy Bradley says Jaron “Boots” Ennis would take over late against Xander Zayas, pointing to a drop in pace after the middle rounds. He links the issue to Zayas’ weight cut, which he believes affects stamina down the stretch.

Bradley said that after studying Zayas, the drop-off begins around rounds eight or nine, linking it to the amount of weight he cuts between fights. He described Zayas as a much bigger fighter outside the ring, adding that the cut appears to drain his legs and show up late.

“He starts to fade. In round eight, nine, he starts to fade,” Bradley said on his channel. “That drains him. It pulls from his legs, and in the later rounds, he starts to get fatigued.”

Xander Zayas is only 23, and at that age, the body is a sponge. Walking around near 200 lbs when you compete at 154 lbs is a massive swing. When you’re that big between fights, training camp isn’t just about sharpening skills, but also a race against the scale.

By the time Zayas hits those championship rounds, his body isn’t just fighting his opponent; it’s paying the tax for the 45-pound drop it just endured.

That late fade is where Bradley sees an opportunity for Ennis. He expects Boots to build pressure as the fight goes on, using movement, angles, and power to force exchanges when Zayas is no longer at full strength.

Zayas has a naturally large frame, and eating freely after a grueling win like the one over Abass Baraou is a common trap for young fighters.

Bradley also pointed out defensive openings, especially on Zayas’ left side, warning that Ennis’ right hand and uppercut could become factors as the fight wears on.

While he still sees a path for Zayas to win early rounds with movement and control, Bradley’s read is that the fight changes late. If Ennis turns it into a physical fight down the stretch, he believes a stoppage becomes possible in the closing rounds.