‘Boots’ and WBA and WBO junior middleweight champion Zayas are in negotiations for a fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that talks have started for Ennis’ next fight. Fan reaction has been positive for this contest, with many of them viewing ‘Boots’ as the likely winner. However, boxing analyst Bradley doesn’t see it that way, believing that Zayas is a bad style matchup for Ennis.
Bradley described Zayas as a counter-puncher with movement, balance, and a high ring IQ. He said Zayas targets mistakes from aggressive fighters and builds his offence around those moments. He also noted Zayas carries a left hook, a punch that has landed on Ennis in previous fights.
Ennis’s style was a focus of the critique. Bradley said Ennis gets impatient and goes looking for knockouts, which creates openings. He added that Ennis prefers to lead and bring the action, rather than wait for clean setups.
Bradley said Zayas is capable of taking advantage of those habits. He described him as a fighter who “taxes mistakes” and makes opponents pay when they overcommit. He added that Zayas has the size, speed, and skill set to compete in those exchanges.
He also pointed out that Ennis carries a right hand that can trouble Zayas, who has been hit by that punch before. Bradley said the risk runs both ways and rejected the idea of a one-sided outcome.
“This ain’t going to be no damn slam dunk,” Bradley said on his channel. “This is a hell of a matchup.”
Ennis has not corrected the habits Bradley is pointing to. If those same openings show up again, Zayas is built to use them.
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