Jaron Ennis Targets Undisputed

Jaron Ennis says his goal is to become the undisputed junior middleweight champion ahead of his unification clash against the WBO and WBA junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas on June 27.

The bout will see Ennis attempt to claim the WBO and WBA world titles in only his second fight at 154 pounds. After unifying the welterweight division in 2025 by stopping Eimantas Stanionis, Ennis aims to replicate that success at junior middleweight.

Ennis was originally deep in negotiations for a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. However, the matchup failed due to an ongoing lawsuit filed by Ortiz against Golden Boy Promotions. Zayas enters as the youngest unified champion in the sport’s history, having secured the WBA belt to unify at 154 with a win over Abass Baraou this past January. Ennis knows a win takes him closer to his goal.

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“My main goal right now is Xander Zayas. I’m not worried about nobody else right now. After I’m victorious on June 27 and become unified champion at 154, bring them on. He ain’t choose to fight me. I told Eddie to go get him after negotiations with Ortiz fell through. I appreciate him for accepting this fight because he didn’t have to take this fight. He could have fought somebody else. I’m ready to take over the division one by one. I’m going to knock them down one by one and show the world why I’m the best. I will be undisputed at 154,” Ennis said 

Is It Realistic?

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The primary hurdle for Ennis is the specific opponent. Zayas is not a transitional champion; at just 23, he is the youngest unified champion in the sport’s history and possesses a high-IQ style that has frustrated veteran contenders. Unlike Ennis’ previous opponents, Zayas is a natural 154-pounder with a significant reach and a momentum-heavy homecoming win over Abass Baraou.

The reality of becoming undisputed depends heavily on the remaining titleholders. Currently, the division is in a state of flux with various interim titles and mandatory obligations. If Ennis secures three belts (including his WBA interim status) by beating Zayas, he becomes the “A-side” of the division, making it financially inevitable that the final champions will have to face him.

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