We’ve got a fight – Boots Ennis vs. Xander Zayas

This year in boxing has been strange and stranger.

Strange, because of the lack of compelling fights.

The stranger – Oleksandr Usyk vs. one Rico Verhoevan.

Rico who?

There have been some interesting bouts: Dubois – Wardley, Inoue- Nakatani, Stevenson – Lopez.

But undisputed, undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk against a guy with one professional fight?

The interest was limited, but a closer look at Verhoeven’s record shows 66 wins and 10 losses.

In kickboxing.

The buildup felt like an exhibition fight.

As did Usyk’s training camp.

It wasn’t his usual Spartan camp. He smiled more than usual. The scene resembled a vacation. It was odd, but who would question Usyk’s approach? The guy was a celebrated amateur and had made it all the way to the top of the mountain.

He knew what he was doing, right?

Quoting Chinese philosopher Laozi, “There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.”

And…not preparing. Usyk was likely overconfident. Hard not to blame him. But…

Trailing on one of the judges’ scorecards and tied on two others, Usyk rallied to halt Verhoeven in the  11th round. He looked relieved. A loss would have thrown boxing on its proverbial ear. Not a strange place for a sport that’s constantly shooting itself in the foot.

This Saturday night, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, undefeated and unified junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas takes on Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

Zayas is on the prowl for greatness. He defeated Jorge Garcia Perez to capture the WBO title and unified against WBA titleholder Abass Baraou. He’s fought 23 times, winning 13 by knockout. Zayas believes he can outbox Ennis.

Appearing on the Ariel Helwani show, Zayas said, “It took him 35 fights to become unified. It took me 23. If you see his first 23 fights, he was fighting guys that were trying to pay child support. I was fighting guys trying to win; trying to get me away from my goals and what I wanted to accomplish… I’m his biggest challenge. He’s 28. At 23, what was he doing? Hiding in Philly, not wanting to fight the big fights.”

In response, Ennis said, “I’m different… You’re trying to hype yourself up.”

And, “Time to step and collect these belts!” Ennis replied. “Knocking them down one by one.”

Ennis career appeared to have stalled last year when a fight against fellow hotshot Virgil Ortiz never happened. Disappointing not only for Ennis but also for his fans, who want to see him in there with a top-notch opponent. He’s looked the part for years.

He’s fast and powerful. He has collected 35 wins without a loss, scoring 31 knockouts along the way.

“I think I can bully him. I think I will bully him,,” said Zayas, “But that’s the way we’re supposed to think as fighters, you know? I think I’m better than him, and I feel like he thinks he’s better than me. And there’s only one way to find out Saturday night.”

Ennis emphasised this last week in a piece on World Boxing News.”

“Whatever he thinks he does well, I do better,” said Boots.

“You cannot jab better than me. You are not faster than me. You are not slicker than me. You are not stronger than me. Your defense is not better than mine. Your footwork is not better than mine. It’s levels.” added Ennis.

The edge has to go to Ennis, but both fighters can be irresponsible defensively. Can Zayes take it when Boots lands? How about Boots’ chin? We should find out quite a bit this Saturday night.