What’s Next For Xander Zayas?

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis stopped Xander Zayas in dominant fashion in the seventh round of their fight on Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, to claim the unified junior middleweight titles.

Zayas collected two titles over the past calendar year. He showed a willingness to face the best, forcing a bout with Ennis. Now, the 23-year-old from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will have options after his defeat. He raised his profile and will now be talked about as a star; the flip side is that he took damage. Zayas, 23-1 (13 KOs), will likely head to middleweight after the loss. Let’s look at some options.

     5. Chordale Booker

     Record: 25-2 (13 KOs)

     Why: Former title contender

Booker fought Sebastian Fundora and was stopped. Booker is a solid fighter who would also be moving up to middleweight after a career at junior middleweight. Given that Booker is also unsigned, it is a realistic bout to make.

     4. Francis Hogan

     Record: 22-0 (17 KOs)

     Why: A good regional fighter gets a chance

Hogan has developed within the Northeastern club scene. It would be a chance for Hogan to see where he stands on the world stage and for Zayas to get his bearings at a new weight class before jumping into the generational fights.

     3. Eric Priest

     Record: 16-0-1 (8 KOs)

     Why: Unbeaten fighter

Priest has hit a lull. In November, he fought Esneiker Correa to a draw. That was a preliminary bout that wasn’t heavily promoted. Priest needs to step up his game, and a fight against Zayas, moving up in weight, could be a good opportunity. (Editor’s Note: Priest did tell FightsATW recently that an injury has kept him out of the ring but that he would be returning in the fall for a big fight.)

     2. Michael Zerafa

      Record: 34-5 (22 KOs)

      Why: Zerafa is a polarizing figure

In January, Zerafa had an odd fight that ended in a no-contest against Nikita Tszyu. He hasn’t fought since. Zerafa is a high-profile name who has faced some established fighters. If Zayas moved up and beat Zerafa, it could be notable. 

     1. Denzel Bentley

      Record: 23-3-1 (18 KOs)

      Why: Interim WBO middleweight titleholder

Bentley stopped Endry Saavedra in April. The win was massive and made him an interim titleholder, as Janibek Alimkhanuly, the outright belt holder, remains inactive. If Zayas wanted to go right back into a legacy fight, Bentley is a viable (winnable) option if he keeps his title.

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

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