An unbeaten newly-crowned world champion has has his sights set on Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz.
Ennis is set to make the move up to super-welterweight for the first time later this year after vacating his unified WBA and IBF welterweight titles, just a few months on from defeating Eimantas Stanionis in impressive fashion.
As for Ortiz, the 27-year-old Texan currently holds the WBC interim super-welterweight title, with his most recent defence coming against Uzbek star and former WBA champion Israil Madrimov on February 22.
One fighter that is targeting a showdown with ‘Boots’ or Ortiz next is newly-crowned WBO super-welterweight champion Xander Zayas, who outpointed Jorge Garcia Perez to capture the vacant title on July 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Zayas expressed an interest in facing either ‘Boots’ or Ortiz next, as well as naming WBC champ Sebastian Fundora as someone he would be open to fighting in the near future.
“I feel like Vergil Ortiz [number] one, Sebastian Fundora and ‘Boots’ Ennis.”
Zayas was then asked to reveal which out of the three he would prefer to face next, if it was his choice.
“Vergil Ortiz, I feel like is going to be a huge fight here on the East Coast for Puerto Rico and Mexico. Him being from Texas, me being from Puerto Rico, fighting a lot in New York City. I feel that being on the East Coast would be a crazy fight.”
Whilst Zayas has his sights set on facing at least all three of the aforementioned fighters next, ‘Boots’ Ennis and Ortiz are on a collision course of their own. The Philly native is expected to have a welcome fight to the division before facing Ortiz in early 2026, with the promoters of both men confirmed that it will happen. A title fight with Zayas may be the prize.
