The undefeated Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) is moving up to 154 pounds after vacating his welterweight belts, and Algieri believes the additional weight could unlock an even better version of the Philadelphia native.
“The reports I’m hearing about ‘Boots’ in the gym, but I’m talking about guys that are firsthand that are there,” said Chris Algieri on Inside Boxing. “He’s busting rib cages. He’s busting noses. I’ve heard from guys that I really trust. Trainers that are friends of mine, telling me, ‘Watch, wait.’”
Algieri says much of Ennis’ recent success in training can be traced to no longer having to drain himself down to the 147-pound limit.
“A lot of it, I think, was related to the weight. He was really hurting himself making weight at 147,” said Algieri. “He even said it himself that he sees himself at 168 at one point. Maybe that’s going to be his top.”
From what Algieri says, Ennis’ size has always suggested that welterweight would be only a temporary stop.
“That’s how big this young man is, and what he’s doing, sacrificing to where he is,” said Algieri. “We haven’t seen the best of ‘Boots.’ We may not see Boots’ best until 60 or 68. Look at Terence Crawford. He got better as he got bigger.”
Algieri believes many fans underestimate the toll that making weight can take on a fighter over a long career.
“A lot of guys don’t understand what it takes out of you to make weight. Twelve rounds is a long time,” said Algieri. “If you don’t get a guy out of there at the beginning, having that weight advantage can actually hurt you down the stretch.”
He also pointed to Ennis’ athletic style as something that can be affected by severe weight cuts.
“But also just the reactions, especially a guy like ‘Boots,’ who is so reactive and athletic. If you are just a short percentage taken down, it can affect all of that because of his style,” said Algieri.
The praise comes as betting odds continue to widen in Ennis’ favor despite Zayas bringing an unbeaten 23-0 record into the fight. Algieri believes word of Ennis’ performances behind closed doors may be influencing both bettors and oddsmakers.
“But I’ve been hearing some nasty reports, which is maybe why the line is changing,” said Algieri. “The reports are leaking, and people are getting busted up in the gym, because the line has gotten real, real wide.”
While the sparring stories have generated excitement, Zayas has yet to lose as a professional and enters the fight as a unified champion. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican captured the WBA junior middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Abass Baraou in January before adding the vacant WBO belt with another unanimous decision victory over Jorge Garcia Perez.
Critics argue that Top Rank has carefully matched Zayas since he turned professional in 2019. Against both Baraou and Garcia Perez, he relied heavily on movement, jabbing, and clinching to neutralize their offense and control the pace over 12 rounds.
Ennis enters the fight with advantages in power, experience, and proven opposition. If the reports coming from his training camp are accurate, June 27 could mark the arrival of a stronger version of the former unified welterweight champion.
The Ennis-Zayas fight headlines a DAZN PPV card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Chris Algieri says Coaches have been telling him Boots has been busting sparring partners noses and ribs in camp preparing for Xander Zayas😳
Trainers that I trust told me he has been destroying guys and to just watch and wait👀-
🎥: @boxing_inside #Boxing #ZayasBoots pic.twitter.com/fp3FQlKm9R
— Pound4Pound (@Pound4our4Pound) June 17, 2026
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