Philadelphia-based trainer Bozy Ennis has responded forcefully to comments made by Terence Crawford, who predicted that Xander Zayas would defeat Jaron “Boots” Ennis in their upcoming fight. The exchange has intensified the spotlight on the welterweight division and the growing anticipation surrounding the July 27th matchup. Bozy Ennis dismissed the criticism, stating that he does not pay attention to what people say, particularly those he claims have never fought a day in their life.
From the perspective of Team Ennis, Crawford and other critics are using past fights to create doubt around Jaron Ennis. However, Bozy Ennis does not believe his fighter has a genuine problem with any specific style, including fighters who move or box. He argued that if Xander Zayas is good enough to force Boots to reach another level, then fans will witness something special. Bozy Ennis also broke down how he believes Terence Crawford would have to approach a fight with Boots, stating that the game plan would need to focus on boxing, movement, timing, and frustration, rather than standing in front of him and trading.
Terence Crawford then responded to the discourse, saying, “Remember, the haters are your biggest fans because they’re watching everything you do just to say they saw it happen.” Crawford further added, “How did y’all get Boots out of anything I just said? That’s crazy how y’all play like y’all like him, but wanted me to end his career before it started because that’s definitely what would have happened.” This reply added another layer to the back-and-forth, with Crawford appearing to deny that his initial comment was directly aimed at Jaron Ennis while still asserting that a fight between them would have been dangerous for the younger fighter.
Jaron Ennis later joined Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson, and Joe Johnson, where he sounded fully locked in for his fight with Xander Zayas. He described the bout as a legacy-defining moment and a chance to prove he is the best in the world. When asked about Zayas’s strengths, Boots did not give away details, instead telling fans to “buckle up” for fight night. He also spoke about his lifelong connection to boxing, stating he has been around the sport forever and that moments like this feel natural to him. Boots acknowledged Zayas as a solid fighter but made it clear that there is nobody who fights like him, predicting a “rude awakening” for his opponent.
Other boxing figures have also weighed in on the matchup. Jermaine Ortiz said he is favoring Xander Zayas to win, citing his work ethic, team, and efficient boxing style, while noting that the flashiness of Boots often overshadows Zayas’s actual skills. Robert Garcia gave Zayas a real chance, stating that his size, heart, and discipline could make the fight difficult for Boots if it goes into the later rounds. Zab Judah advised that Zayas cannot box with Boots from the outside due to his reach and rhythm, and must instead get close and turn the fight into a rougher contest. The buildup to July 27th now carries significant weight, with Bozy Ennis insisting his fighter has hidden levels and Xander Zayas looking to prove his doubters wrong.
