Xander Zayas calls out Jaron Ennis over 'padded' record

Rising welterweight Xander Zayas took aim at IBF champion Jaron Ennis in a recent interview, claiming Ennis built his undefeated record against weak opposition and avoided fighting elite welterweights when opportunities arose.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, as first reported by BoxingScene, the Puerto Rican prospect accused Ennis of padding his resume with carefully selected opponents. "He ducked the big fights," Zayas said, per the outlet, adding that Ennis' reputation as a top-tier welterweight does not match the quality of fighters he has faced.

What the criticism means for Ennis' welterweight dominance

Ennis, who holds a 33-0 record with 29 knockouts, has long been viewed as one of the most avoided fighters in the welterweight division. The Philadelphia native won the IBF title last year but has struggled to secure marquee matchups against the division's other champions and contenders.

Zayas, promoted by Top Rank and viewed as a future welterweight force, appears to be positioning himself as a willing challenger in a weight class dominated by promotional and network politics. The 22-year-old has not yet cracked the top ten in most rankings but has built momentum with recent wins on ESPN cards.

No formal offer or negotiations between the two camps have been reported. Ennis is expected to defend his IBF title later this year, though no opponent or venue has been confirmed.

Source: boxingscene.com