Zayas says he is ready to defend titles against Ennis

Xander Zayas has declared himself ready to face Jaron Ennis in a welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light-middleweight title defence. The unified champion told ESPN he is prepared to fight one of boxing's biggest names.

“Long before I became a world champion, I always sought to face the biggest challenges in my division. Now, as the unified champion, I am ready to defend my world titles against one of the sport's biggest names.”

— Xander Zayas, via ESPN

What Xander Zayas said

Zayas holds unified welterweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light-middleweight straps and has called for the sport's toughest tests since before winning world honours. Ennis, a welterweight standout, has been mentioned as a potential opponent if he moves up in weight. The two names have circulated in unification talk for months.

What it moves

Zayas now waits on Ennis's next move. The welterweight contender has options at his current division but could pursue Zayas's belts if he decides to step up. A fight between the two would likely need sanctioning approval and broadcast alignment before progressing to contract stage.

Source: espn.com. Full Xander Zayas fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.