“I’m just excited to be fighting one, you know, a guy that got two belts, a guy that’s in, you know, one of the top in the division. I’m ready to shut everybody up,” said Ennis to Matchroom Boxing.
It was an intriguing choice of words from Ennis. He could have simply described Zayas as a world champion, a belt-holder, or one of the division’s elite fighters. Instead, he referred to him as “a guy that’s in.”
For many fans, the meaning behind that phrase will resonate immediately.
Whether it was the popular crowd at school, established circles in the workplace, or simply the feeling of being overlooked despite proving yourself, most people understand the distinction between those who are “in” and those still trying to earn acceptance.
Ennis has spent much of his professional career in the latter category.
Despite compiling an unbeaten record, collecting world titles and earning a reputation as one of boxing’s most gifted fighters, the Philadelphia native has often found himself outside the sport’s biggest conversations. While names such as Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Conor Benn have generated headlines through rivalries, social media presence, and promotional backing, Ennis has largely let his performances do the talking.
Now, however, he believes his moment has arrived.
“I feel like after this fight is I’m the man, you know, any division. So I feel like I’m taking over boxing, you know, starting June 27th,” said Ennis.
Later in the video, Ennis spoke like a fighter convinced June 27 is his opportunity to force his way into boxing’s biggest conversations.
“Jun 27 big knockout… whatever he think he do I do way better,” said Ennis. “You can’t jab better than me, not faster than me, not slicker than me, not stronger than me, your defense not better than mine, like your footwork not better than mine. You know it’s levels. I’m the best in the world.”
Zayas enters the contest as the reigning WBA and WBO champion at 154 pounds and one of the division’s most recognizable figures. For Ennis, defeating a fighter he regards as “a guy that’s in” would represent more than adding two more belts to his collection.
It would be an opportunity to finally move from boxing’s periphery to the very center of the sport’s conversation.
Ennis and Zayas will clash on June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles on the line live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
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