Gary Antuanne Russell warns Boots Ennis faces tough test vs Zayas

Gary Antuanne Russell expects Jaron 'Boots' Ennis to dethrone Xander Zayas this weekend but warns the challenger he has a real fight on his hands.

Zayas defends his unified welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super welterweight titles against Ennis on Saturday, and Russell — who fought Boots twice in the amateurs — told Bad Left Hook that the young champion will not fold easily. "Xander is no slouch," Russell said, per the outlet. "Young vigor, strong, good head movement, in shape, coming to fight, and he got something to lose."

Russell picks Boots but says Zayas has the pop to shock him

Russell favors Ennis because of attributes that cannot be drilled in the gym. "He just got natural swagger with him, his style," Russell explained. "He do some stuff that some people can't even train to develop." He added that sparring sessions with Canelo Alvarez — a bigger, more seasoned fighter — should have sharpened Boots heading into camp.

Still, Russell made clear Ennis cannot coast. "Boots cannot play with this boy. Xander will have Boots looking at the lights, it'll be an upset," he said, according to the report. "Xander got some pop." Russell described Zayas as textbook but obedient, a fighter who will do the responsible thing and avoid unnecessary risks. "A lot of times hard work can beat talent," Russell noted.

He predicted both men will respect each other early, with the real fight emerging in the later rounds once fatigue sets in. "For the most part he got a tough match in front of him," Russell said. "Xander is not about to lay down for Boots."

The title fight takes place Saturday evening.

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• Bad Left Hook — ‘He got a tough match in front of him’: Gary Antuanne Russell breaks down Xander Zayas vs Boots Ennis title fight