The victory makes Ennis a two-division world champion and positions him for even bigger unification bouts at 154 pounds.
Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs, 1 NC) showcased his superior speed, power and accuracy from the outset, dropping Zayas once in the opening round before adding knockdowns in the fifth and seventh.
Referee Harvey Dock stepped in at the 1:49 mark of Round 7 after Ennis unleashed a relentless barrage that sent Zayas to one knee, ending the bout before further punishment could be absorbed.
Although the challenger entered the fight as a sizable betting favorite, Zayas’ willingness to defend his titles against one of boxing’s most dangerous fighters earned widespread respect.
Zayas Shows Heart Despite Defeat
Xander Zayas (23-1, 13 KOs) never stopped fighting despite taking heavy punishment throughout the contest. The 23-year-old champion had his best moment in the third round when a sharp right hand stunned Ennis and briefly shifted the momentum.
For a moment, it appeared Zayas had found an opening. Ennis quickly regained his composure and responded with another dominant stretch, using his power and combination punching to gradually wear down the previously unbeaten champion.
Following a brutal fifth round that included a second knockdown, a ringside physician examined Zayas before allowing him to continue. Despite his courage, the punishment ultimately became too much.
A New Champion at 154 Pounds
The win marks Ennis’ second fight since moving up from the welterweight division after relinquishing his Ring, IBF and WBA titles.
The Philadelphia native has now defeated another undefeated world champion, following his dominant stoppage victory over Eimantas Stanionis during his welterweight title unification bout last year.
Now holding the WBA and WBO belts at junior middleweight, Ennis has his sights set on becoming the division’s undisputed champion. Potential unification bouts against WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and IBF champion Josh Kelly now loom as some of the biggest fights available in the division.
Zayas Took the Risk
Rather than taking a softer title defense after adding the WBA championship to his WBO belt earlier this year, Zayas chose to face arguably the toughest challenge available.
It was a gamble that ultimately didn’t pay off. Still, the Puerto Rican champion earned respect throughout boxing for accepting a dangerous fight many other titleholders may have avoided.
On Saturday night, however, Ennis showed exactly why he’s considered one of boxing’s elite. With another championship added to his resume and a dominant performance on the sport’s biggest stage, “Boots” has firmly established himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and the man to beat at 154 pounds.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
