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Philippines, 15 May 2026 |
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Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing! By Ralph Rimpell PhilBoxing.com Thu, 23 Apr 2026  On June 27, 2026, the boxing world will be treated to one of the most anticipated matchups of the year at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The contest features Puerto Rican star and undefeated unified WBA/WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) against undefeated former unified WBA/IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC). The signing of this “Big Fight” caught the industry by surprise for several reasons. Ennis had been in negotiations for months to fight high-profile contender Vergil Ortiz, but that matchup imploded due to ongoing litigation between Ortiz and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya. Furthermore, seasoned boxing followers know that elite fights are rarely signed this easily. Generally, top-tier fighters avoid high-risk bouts unless they are offered astronomical sums. The Economics of the "Ducking" Game It is common for fighters to banter on social media to keep their brand active, but rarely do representatives send an official offer sheet. Often, a fight that should generate a $2–$3 million purse results in fighters demanding $10–$15 million guarantees, effectively pricing themselves out. It’s like a homeowner asking a broker to list a house for $900,000 when the fair market value is only $500,000. Fans get hyped, but when the deal fails, one fighter inevitably takes to social media to claim the other is "ducking." This happens every day in boxing. Therefore, when it was confirmed that "Boots" and Zayas had negotiated and signed a contract in less than a month, it was a shock to the system. Risk vs. Reward There is no doubt that both men—Ennis represented by Matchroom and Zayas by Bob Arum’s Top Rank—will receive million-dollar purses. What is clear is that despite the high risk, neither side outpriced themselves. They are "no-nonsense" fighters focused on giving the public what they want. Zayas, in particular, could have taken an easier path. Many critics argue this fight is too early for the 23-year-old due to his lack of experience. However, Zayas reportedly approached his own team to demand the Ennis fight. The upside is clear: if he defeats "Boots," who is currently rated in the top two of the division alongside WBC king Sebastian Fundora, Zayas becomes one of the "faces of boxing." The timing is also a physical necessity. Standing 5’10” and walking around at 180–185 lbs, Zayas will likely outgrow the 154-pound division soon. He is striking while the iron is hot. The "Towering Inferno" and the Junior Middleweight Landscape On the other side of the road is WBC champion Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora (24-1-1, 15 KOs). At 6’6”, he is likely the tallest boxer in the sport's history. After a shocking knockout loss to Brian Mendoza in 2023, Fundora went back to the drawing board. He has since gone 4-0 with 3 KOs, recapturing gold by defeating Tim Tszyu. Fundora is now fighting at a different level, utilizing his reach, jab, and newfound aggressiveness. Reports suggest his camp is negotiating a unification bout with IBF champion Josh Kelly. This is surprising, as the Fundora camp previously suggested they would only fight within the PBC banner. If Fundora defeats Kelly, he will hold two titles to unify against the Zayas vs. Ennis winner in a massive "Mega Fight." Redemption and the "Forgotten" King Other moving parts include the rumored return of Errol Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) against Tim Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs), potentially in July or August. By then, Spence will have been out of the ring for three years since his loss to Terence Crawford. The winner would be in a prime position for a title shot or a big payday. Then there is Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), the former undisputed king of the division. Since his loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2023, his name has been strangely absent from the conversation. Despite his resume and the massive drawing power he has in Dallas, Charlo hasn't been mentioned as an opponent for the current title holders. Having never lost his 154-pound titles in the ring, he deserves the opportunity to reclaim his throne. Why 154 lbs is the Hottest Division In a previous article, I noted that the Lightweight (135 lbs) division was the most exciting. While the talent remains—Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Abdullah Mason—the "Big Fights" there are simply not being signed. The same applies to the Welterweights, where proposed bouts like Haney vs. Romero or Garcia vs. Lopez have imploded. The Junior Middleweights are currently proving to be the exception. By actually signing the "Big Fights," 154 lbs has officially become the hottest division in boxing. Contact Writer: RLuvsboxing@aol.com. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.  |
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