Bob Arum Reveals Top Rank Tried To Stop Xander Zayas From Fighting Jaron Ennis

“We would have preferred Xander not to take that fight because he was young and wasn’t really ready,” Arum said to Fighthype. “But he insisted that he wanted that fight.”

Zayas entered the bout as a significant underdog against the unified welterweight champion, but he exceeded expectations by giving Ennis one of the toughest moments of his career. Arum believes that effort may ultimately benefit the 23-year-old more than a safer fight would have.

“It may not turn out so bad because, as you said, people remember that round where he had Boots in a lot of trouble, the third round,” Arum said.

Although Ennis recovered to win, Zayas’ showing changed the perception of many fans who had questioned whether he belonged at the elite level. Arum suggested the performance could also strengthen Zayas’ connection with Puerto Rican boxing supporters.

“He’s a bilingual kid, Puerto Rican, and Puerto Rico has always embraced good, really great fighters,” Arum said. “Puerto Ricans were behind Trinidad, Cotto and hopefully they’ll be behind Xander the same way.”

Zayas remains one of Top Rank’s top young stars despite the loss, and Arum’s comments reveal the company had initially hoped to delay such a dangerous test. Instead, Zayas pushed for the opportunity himself, and while he came up short against Ennis, his willingness to take the fight and his success in hurting one of boxing’s best fighters appear to have elevated his standing with fans.