Top UK promoter Eddie Hearn is always busy building up his fighters and their upcoming showdowns. Naturally, it’s his job to do exactly that, regardless of the ridiculous stretches of belief he often puts forward. Saturday evening was no exception as the Matchroom man mused with DAZN’s Chris Mannix over future events and potential money-spinning clashes.
After pushing the responsibility for AJ vs Fury’s lack of concrete agreements over to Turki Alalshikh (“Turki’s the guy, it’s his show, he’s the one paying the bill”), Eddie briefly discussed Katie Taylor’s farewell fight in Croke Park, Dublin.
“This is going to be the biggest sporting event of all time in Ireland, in my opinion. Katie Taylor is one of the greatest athletes from the country. Biggest female event of all time. Biggest crowd ever for an individual female athlete,” he buzzed.
Jaron Ennis training hard for Xander Zayas fight in New York
While all of this is fine and dandy, one point of real interest was Hearn’s updates on another superfight, due to take place at the close of June. In just two weeks’ time, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Xander Zayas will contest the latter’s WBA and WBO titles at super-welterweight (154 pounds).
Footage has been circulating of both men putting in the hard yards, whipping themselves into fine fettle. Eddie has been checking in on his man during camp in Philadelphia and likes what he’s been hearing and seeing. If social media clips are anything to go by, for once his spin might be justified.
“You need to get ready for one of the most show-stopping performances from the future pound-for-pound number one, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. This will be an absolute masterclass, but it won’t be a masterclass just of boxing. It’ll be a masterclass of fighting.
“The Philly Shell, walking him down and stopping Xander Zayas in sensational style to announce himself as the new star of boxing. We’re gonna be completely sold out at the Barclays Center.”
Praise for Zayas but Hearn only sees a ‘Boots’ masterclass
Eddie offers a lot of fluff and spin, but, even though he’s firmly in Camp Ennis, he’s right about this being a potential barnburner. Hearn added his praise for Zayas as well.
“Listen, you’ve gotta take your hat off to Xander Zayas. What a young man. He called this fight off, but my goodness, you see what Boots is doing to the gym. Everyone knows in boxing how good this guy is.
“This is the moment, June 27th, where Boots will show the world how great he is. Ben Whittaker making his U.S. debut. Emiliano Vargas as well on a massive night.
“I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a wild crowd, but get ready for the launchpad of the future pound-for-pound number one of the sport, Jaron Ennis. He’s coming,” concluded Hearn.
