Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya caught up with Fight Hype and gave his reaction to the announcement of Xander Xayas vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis with Zayas effectively taking what otherwise would’ve been the place of Vergil Ortiz, Conor Benn’s most recent performance and more. Check out some of what he had to say below.
De La Hoya on Zayas vs Boots
“Stylistically, I think it’s a great matchup. I think Boots is very, very talented. He’s in his prime, obviously. He’s facing a guy that knows how to use his distance and throws hard
punches, combinations, has the will to win. This is going to be a great fight. I don’t know who’s going to win, tough call, but you might have to give the edge to Boots just because he’s on a roll with his past opponents. Stylistically I would have to give a little edge [to Boots] but I do love Xander.”
On how he feels about Zayas fighting Boots when it could’ve been Vergil Ortiz
“It’s sad that it had to happen this way and I blame everything on Rick Mirigian, the manager. It’s just sad because now Vergil’s going to be sidelined while all these champions are going to be facing each other…Ortiz is going to be left in the dust, and I called it. I literally want Vergil to come to his senses because he’s a grown man. Let’s patch things up and work things out so we can get these fights in place because he is the best guy at 154, I feel.”
On Conor Benn’s performance against Regis Prograis and potentially fighting Ryan Garcia
“I didn’t see him as active or as fresh as when he fought Eubank he looked better, he looked stronger, he looked fresh, he looked energetic. 147 is going to be a little tough for him but if he wants to fight Ryan, let’s make it. I’m ready. Why not.”
