The unified champion believes Ennis does not view him as an equal and plans to capitalize on that mindset in Brooklyn

Xander Zayas believes Jaron “Boots” Ennis is making a costly mistake ahead of their June 27 title fight at Barclays Center. The unbeaten unified super welterweight champion says Ennis does not view him as a fighter on his level and intends to prove him wrong in Brooklyn.

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“In every way. In every way necessary, every way of the word, I feel like he feels that I’m not at his level,” Zayas told Brian Custer on his YouTube site. “That might be his feeling, but that’s good. Let him think that way. Everybody that has stepped in the ring with me before has thought that way, too. And 23 have tried, and 23 have failed, and he’s going to be 24.”

Zayas, 23-0 (13 KOs), captured unified status by defeating Abass Baraou earlier this year and now faces what many consider the toughest assignment of his career. Ennis has been installed as the betting favorite, with many observers pointing to his size, speed, and overall athletic ability as reasons he could leave Brooklyn with the titles.

Zayas has embraced the challenge from the outset, insisting that he sought out the biggest available fights. He views the matchup as an opportunity to prove that his accomplishments and abilities have been undervalued throughout his rise in the sport.

The June 27 bout has been billed as a meeting between two of boxing’s brightest young stars, with the winner expected to establish himself as the leading figure in the super welterweight division. Zayas believes Ennis’ confidence has crossed into complacency.

If that’s the case, he intends to make Ennis pay for it when they meet at Barclays Center.