Emiliano Vargas and Ben Whittaker have vowed to dazzle on the very biggest stage, as their fights on the undercard of the blockbuster showdown between Xander Zayas and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis are announced for Saturday June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, exclusively live worldwide on DAZN – with Vargas facing Bryce Mills for the WBC USA Silver, WBO Latino and NABF Jr. Super-Lightweight titles and Whittaker meeting Richard Rivera for the WBC Silver Light-Heavyweight title.

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Vargas’s clash with Mills acts as the co-main event on the card, and it’s another spotlight moment for the Californian starlet who has had an incredible year already. The 22 year old began 2026 with a starring role alongside Zayas in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show in Santa Clara in February, shortly after being named as The Ring’s 2025 prospect of the year ahead of his return to the ring later that month where he forced the retirement of Agustin Quintana after nine rounds of their co-main clash on another huge card, the unification showdown between Emanuel Navarrete and Sugar Nunez in Glendale, Arizona.

Vargas (17-0 14 KOs) will be looking for the 18th victory of his blossoming career in the Big Apple, but Mills (22-1 9 KOs) will have other ideas. The Liverpool, NY man fights for the third time in 2026 and defends the WBC belt that he won in February at Turning Stone in Verona with a fourth round stoppage of Tobias Green, and successfully defended the strap two months later in Rochester by forcing Julio Rosa to retire after three rounds of their clash.

“I have had an incredible start to the year, and I have no intention of slowing down,” said Vargas. “On June 27 at Barclays Center, I will step onto the biggest stage of my career on DAZN PPV, ready to seize this opportunity and make it clear to every champion in the division: “El General” is coming! ¡Vengo por todo!”

Whittaker (11-0-1 8 KOs) makes his American debut on June 27 and does so hot on the heels of a second emphatic first round KO win under the Matchroom banner. The 2020 Olympic silver medal man destroyed Braian Suarez in Liverpool a fortnight ago to rubber-stamp his trip Stateside, five months after making his promotional debut under Eddie Hearn with a late contender for KO of the year in his Birmingham, close to his Wolverhampton hometown.

The flashy Brit could make a big statement with a third KO in a row on his bow across the pond and send a message to the 175lb division – the exact same prize on offer for Rivera if he can hand a first pro defeat to his 28 year old foe. Rivera (27-2 20 KOs) steps back through the ropes for the first time since landing a first round KO win of his own in January 2025 in Connecticut, a second win in a row following a ten round triumph in his home state in April 2024, and ‘Popeye’ will be relishing his biggest stage since being edged out by Badou Jack in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of the World Heavyweight unification rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua in August 2022.

“I am really excited to make my American debut in the Big Apple on such a big card,” said Whittaker. “I’ve got a lot of love for the American fans, and we’ve developed a great relationship over recent years, so I can’t wait to get out there and put on a spectacular performance for them.”

“The British are coming, the British are coming!” said Rivera. “If Ben thinks he is going to my backyard to make a statement, history will repeat itself. I’m not gonna need a can of spinach for this fight. Ben might have the boxing world fooled, but I’m not convinced.”

A third fight announced for the undercard sees Jahi Tucker (16-1-1 7 KOs) take on Euri Cedeno (14-0-1 12 KOs) over ten rounds for the vacant IBF North American, WBC USA and WBO NABO Middleweight titles, with more undercard action to be announced in due course, all ahead of a stunning main event as Zayas puts his unified WBO and WBA World Super-Welterweight titles on the line against former unified Welterweight ruler Ennis.

(April 27, 2026) — The Puerto Rican star who began as a teenage prodigy and developed into a unified world champion is continuing his journey with the team that believed in him from the start.

Xander Zayas has signed a multi-year contract extension with Top Rank, keeping boxing’s youngest current two-belt titleholder with the promotional powerhouse as he enters the biggest fight of his career thus far.

The 23-year-old Zayas will defend his WBO/WBA super welterweight world titles against former unified welterweight world champion Jaron Ennis on Saturday, June 27 in Brooklyn, New York LIVE on DAZN PPV.

“We signed Xander at 16 and have watched him grow from a gifted teenager into a unified world champion,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “He won his first world title at 22, unified in his first defense, and is now preparing for the biggest fight of his career thus far. This successful partnership has grown his profile throughout the sports world and reinforces our confidence in Xander’s future.”

“I’m blessed to continue representing Puerto Rico at the highest level of the sport with Top Rank,” said Zayas. “Thank you for all these years and for giving me the opportunity to grow and bring glory to my country and family. Now it’s time to keep collecting victories and championships for many more years with the Top Rank family.”

“Xander’s path is a testament to Top Rank’s ability to develop talent the right way,” said Peter Kahn, Zayas’ manager. “We signed with them when he was just 16, and they’ve done a great job guiding him into a unified world champion. They also understand the Latino audience better than any promoter in boxing. Extending this partnership was the right strategic move as we now focus on more unifications, multiple divisions, global events, and defining Xander as one of the faces of the sport while building a lasting legacy at the highest level.”

Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) made history in March 2019 when he signed with Top Rank at age 16, becoming the youngest fighter ever added to the company’s roster. He steadily developed into one of the sport’s top young contenders, capturing regional titles in 2022 with victories over Elias Espadas and Alexis Salazar before rising to the No. 1 position in the WBO rankings. In July 2025, he defeated Jorge Garcia to capture the WBO super welterweight world title less than two months shy of his 23rd birthday. In his first defense, he became the first Puerto Rican to unify world titles on the island by outpointing WBA champion Abass Baraou in January.

NEW YORK – April 21, 2026 – DAZN, the world’s leading sports streaming platform, announced four additional boxing events headlined by five world champions and four undefeated rising stars, further elevating the company’s presence as the undisputed global home of boxing. The extensive spring and summer schedule encompasses roughly 20 bouts each week through June, culminating in the highly anticipated Xander Zayas vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis on June 27, live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

With less than two weeks to go until the boxing world sets its eyes on a marquee Las Vegas matchup featuring David Benavidez and Zurdo Ramirez, the newest of DAZN’s robust offerings include Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani; Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright; O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford, and Jesse Rodriguez vs. Antonio Vargas.

“At DAZN we are always looking to stream the best fights,” said DAZN’s CEO of Growth Markets, Pete Oliver. “After getting off to a stellar start in 2026 with some incredible fight nights, we continue to push the needle, giving fans – particularly here in the U.S.— unbeatable fight nights that further cement DAZN as the undisputed global home of boxing. Last week’s announcements and our agreements with TNT Sports and Top Rank is evidence of our progress.”

Adding to the excitement of DAZN’s unprecedented 2026 boxing schedule, the platform is also set to debut its monthly live boxing series, The Fight, in collaboration with TNT Sports, debuting on July 4 thanks to the groundbreaking U.S. partnership that will see monthly fight nights aired on TNT Sports’ U.S. networks and streamed globally on DAZN.

As a reminder, boxing fans can stay up-to-date on the latest storylines, previews, analysis, and more with Inside the Ring – DAZN’s premier boxing show hosted by legendary sports commentator Max Kellerman, The Ring Magazine’s senior reporter Mike Coppinger, and high-profile guests from across the sport. New episodes air every Monday and are included with a DAZN subscription. 

For DAZN’s full slate of events, please see HERE and schedule highlights below: 

UPCOMING EVENTS ON DAZN

Saturday, April 25

Jarrell Miller vs. Lenier Pero 

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Saturday, April 25

Jacob Bank vs. Paulinus Ndjolonimu 

Kolding, Denmark 

Wednesday, April 29

Skye Nicholson vs. Mariah Turner 

Melbourne, Australia 

Friday, May 1

Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 

Norfolk, Virginia

Saturday, May 2

Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani 

Tokyo, Japan

Saturday, May 2

David Benavidez vs. Ramirez

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Saturday, May 9

Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois

Manchester, United Kingdom

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Saturday, May 9

Angelo Leo vs. Ra’eese Aleem 

College Park, Maryland

Saturday, May 16

Dave Allen vs. Serhii Hrgovic 

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Saturday, May 23

Glory in Giza: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven 

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt 

Included in DAZN Ultimate 

Saturday, May 30

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford

Houston, Texas

Saturday, June 6

Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puelo 

Sheffield, United Kingdom 

Saturday, June 13

Jesse Rodriguez vs. Antonio Vargas

Glendale, Arizona

Saturday, June 13

Tommy Fury vs. Eddie Hall

Manchester, United Kingdom 

Saturday, June 27

Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis

Brooklyn, New York

Included in DAZN Ultimate

Last week’s fight announcements are just the latest example of DAZN’s robust offerings to viewers around the globe, particularly U.S. boxing fans, accentuated by the platform’s recent partnership with TNT Sports and multi-year media rights deal with Top Rank. The platform has also seen tremendous growth across sports as a whole, notably serving as the home for NFL Game Pass outside the U.S. Additionally, DAZN is the go-to provider for European football, exclusive home of NHL.TV in nearly 200 countries, global broadcast home of the NASCAR Euro Series (excluding the Netherlands and Romania), allowing fans to watch every race and championship in English, and most recently, the global home for NCAA March Madness in 40+ countries for free. Last summer, DAZN also made waves as the exclusive rights holder for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, providing access to fans for free around the globe. 

To take advantage of all DAZN has to offer, boxing fans can subscribe to DAZN Ultimate, ensuring access to 185+ fight nights and a minimum of 12 pay-per-views (PPV) per year.

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, streams over 110,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide.? DAZN is the global home of European football, women’s football, boxing, and MMA, as well as the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.? DAZN is a global, privately owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 4,000 employees. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit? www.dazngroup.com.

By Norm Frauenheim

Youth defines Xander Zayas and will continue to do so through at least his challenging date against Jaron “Boots” Ennis in an intriguing crossroads fight for both.

For the 23-year-old Zayas, it looms as an early milestone, a measure of maturity in his career path from a high school kid with a Top Rank contract.

For the 28-year-old Ennis, it’s an opportunity to finally deliver on his long-advertised potential, including a place among pound-for-pound contenders.

It’s compelling, mostly because it’s a steppingstone, a stage for the future. For now, it looks as if the key to that future is there for Ennis. 

Seemingly, he’s been emerging for years, always at the edge of crashing the pound-for-pound party but never quite getting there perhaps because of inactivity or Terence Crawford’s long reign of dominance.

Crawford is retired. The formal announcement this week of Ennis’ 154-pound bout June 27 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is a sign of renewed possibilities in a very active division. Never has Ennis had a better chance to announce his arrival. He talked as if he knew that at a formal news conference this week

“I think Xander bit off way more than he can chew,’’ Ennis, a former unified welterweight champion, said Wednesday in Brooklyn. “Come fight night, he’ll see. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the best in the world.”

Betting odds suggest that’s exactly what Ennis will do. He’s about a 3-to-1 favorite. By knockout?

“For sure,” Ennis said.

Given the difference in their ages, it’s an irony that Ennis, 1-0 at 154, is the challenger. With two pieces of the junior-middleweight title, Zayas is boxing’s youngest current champion.

But youth, often called fickle, might be Zayas’ problem against Ennis, who at 147 occupied and conquered bigger stages. That, at least, is a theory, one that helps explain the early odds.

“There’s levels to this and I’m going to show him that,’’ Ennis said. “It’s about legacy for me. I want to show the world why I’m the best.”

Legacy is one of the most overused words in sport. As Ennis enters his prime, however, he might have a better understanding of what it means than Zayas, still more prodigy than legend. For Ennis, legacy is now. For Zayas, it’s tomorrow.

Despite the promise and plaudits attached to champions barely out of their teens, the experience can often be a crucible.

David Benavidez, a Phoenix-forged fighter, is just the latest example. Benavidez — a former two-time champion, yet still unbeaten – won his first 168-pound title when he was 20, making him the youngest champion in the history of the super-middleweight division. He beat Ronald Gavril in 2017. Then, the belt was stripped because of a positive drug test.

A couple of years later, Benavidez regained the title, stopping Andre Dirrell.

In his first defense of his second title in 2020, an overweight Benavidez lost it on the scale and then took out his frustration with a punishing stoppage of Roamer Alexis Angulo. He was 23-0, 23 years-old and – yet suddenly — a two-time ex-champion without a loss on the ledger. Growing-up is hard to do.

Benavidez has. In what is still an evolving career, he has moved beyond 168 and Canelo Alvarez to a prime-time resume that includes a light-heavyweight belt and a much-anticipated Cinco de Mayo date May 2 in a bid to take Gilberto “Zurdo’’ Ramirez’ cruiserweight titles. He’s added a commanding personal presence to his command of the ring.

For Zayas, however, there are lessons from Benavidez’ formative years. There are also a couple of notable parallels: Zayas is 23-0 and 23-years-old. Welcome to the crucible.

Ennis wasn’t the only one to talk legacy Wednesday. Zayas did too.

“It’s always been about legacy,’’ said Zayas, a Puerto Rican living in Florida who grew up wanting to be Miguel Cotto in a Puerto Rican lineage that also includes Wilfredo Benitez, a 17-year-old champion, still the youngest ever. “Becoming the youngest world champion at 22 when I did it. Youngest unified world champion. And now fighting one of the best in the world in the division. It’s about legacy.’’

Maybe lessons, too. 

BROOKLYN, NY, April 8, 2026 – Today, in the heart of Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center, WBO and WBA Junior Middleweight World Champion Xander Zayas (23-0 13 KOs) and challenger, Philadelphia’s Jaron “Boots” Ennis (35-0 31 KOs), took to the stage to discuss their June 27 bout. The blockbuster fight is streaming live and exclusively on DAZN PPV, brought to boxing fans around the globe by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.

While Ennis aims to cement his status as a two-weight unified champion, the 23-year-old Zayas most recently unified both titles earlier this year in Puerto Rico after an exhilarating contest that yielded a split decision with Abass Baraou.The outcome notably solidified Zayas as the youngest unified ruler in the sport and the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight. 

Below is what the fighters and their teams had to say:

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Chairman 

On how he’s feeling that the fight came together… 

“I still can’t believe it. One of the hardest jobs in boxing is to get Jaron “Boots” Enis fights. The great news is, thanks to the DAZN partnership with Top Rank, we started talking and all of sudden we said ‘I think we can make Xander Zayas versus Jaron Boots Ennis.’ I’m still in shock and I give the unbelievable credit that Xander deserves because he is a great fighter. He must have a massive set of cojones because what’s about to happen on June 27th is one of the toughest tasks in boxing.”

On not believing Xander would take the fight…   

“Dangerous, not just dangerous for him but dangerous for Boots because this kid is 23 and he’s one of the hottest young stars in the sport. I would be keeping him away from Jaron. If I represented Xander Zayas, there is no way I would let him take this fight. I’d be saying ‘listen, we’ll go to MSG, we’ll fill that out and we’ll do another homecoming fight in Puerto Rico. We’ll have Bad Bunny singing you out. We’ll milk it. We’ll do this, we’ll move up to middleweight, we’ve got years. But this fight is what boxing needs.’”

Todd DuBoef, President, Top Rank

On having their first major event with DAZN on the Calendar…

“We have a saying: ‘This is boxing.’ And I’m going to tell you something. This fight, this is boxing. This is what it’s about. Young kids, in their prime, going at it, putting it all on the line, and win or lose, they both win. That’s what makes this sport so great.”

On what he’s seen over the last year that’s put Xander in this position…  

“The confidence. We got Xander when he was so young, he was sitting in my office, he was like ‘Miguel Coto’. I just idolize ‘Miguel Coto’. But to see him physically mature, to see his intellect in the ring, to get used to the ups and downs, and then once you win that title, you just expand your horizon, you get more confidence, and he had so much confidence he goes after the boogieman, the guy that nobody wants to fight. We’re not holding him back, we’re letting the race car go.”

Jaron “Boots” Ennis  

On his mindset coming into this fight… 

“I think Xander bit off way more than he can chew. Come fight night, he’ll see. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the best in the world.”

On what he thinks made Xander take this fight… 

“You can watch my fights but when you get in the ring it’s a whole different story. I’m faster than you think. I’m stronger and I have a better IQ, too. He’s going to be in for a long night.” 

On the split of the money… 

“If he’s so confident, why didn’t he take the 55-45 split for the winner? I think that shows a lot. There’s levels to this and I’m going to show him that. It’s about legacy for me. I want to show the world why I’m the best and I believe in myself.”

On if the fight will end in a knockout… 

“For sure.” 

Xander Zayas 

On why this fight against Boots Ennis had to happen for him… 

“It’s always been about legacy. Becoming the youngest world champion at 22 when I did it. Youngest unified world champion. And now fighting one of the best in the world in the division. It’s about legacy. Anybody could have taken the easy route and just get an easy win and that’s it. I want to fight the best. I want to show that I’m the best every time I step into the ring. And that’s what I’m going to do on June 27.” 

On Ennis being a weight bully… 

“Because he has, I mean, everybody at 147 was always smaller than them. He was a big cop. 54 is different. You got these guys coming from 190 from 181, 85, 200. It’s different.”

What are his advantages in this fight against Ennis…

“Everything. I mean, [Ennis] has never faced an athletic fighter like me.”

On how the fight ends… 

“I never go out there looking for the knockout. But I promise I’m going to rip his heart out. I guarantee you that. He’s going to be uncomfortable. I’m going to show you come June 27.”  

Todd DuBoef, President, Top Rank

On having their first major event with DAZN on the Calendar…

“We have a saying: this is boxing. And I’m going to tell you something. This fight, this is boxing. This is what it’s about. Young kids, in their prime, going at it, putting it all on the line, and win or lose, they both win. That’s what makes this sport so great.”

On what he’s seen over the last year that’s put Xander in this position…  

“The confidence. We got Xander when he was so young, he was sitting in my office, he was like ‘Miguel Coto’. I just idolize ‘Miguel Coto’. But to see him physically mature, to see his intellect in the ring, to get used to the ups and downs, and then once you win that title, you just expand your horizon, you get more confidence, and he had so much confidence he goes after the boogieman, the guy that nobody wants to fight. We’re not holding him back, we’re letting the race car go.”

Javiel Centeno, Zayas’ Trainer

On Zayas wanting to fight Ennis…

“We’ve talked about Jaron Ennis in the past, and we’ve always been in agreement on things we’ve seen that we can take advantage of. Xander said this is the time to do it, and as a team we decided to take the fight.”

Bozy Ennis, Jaron’s Father and Trainer

On his thoughts for the June 27 fight…

“I think [Zayas] bit off too much. Boots can box and he can fight you inside. I want [Zayas] to take him [Zayas] to another level because Boots has so many different levels he can get to.”

Xander Zayas will defend his WBO and WBA World Junior Middleweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday June 27, live and exclusive on DAZN PPV, in an event brought to you by Matchroom in association with Top Rank.

Zayas (23-0 13 KOs) unified the titles in January in Puerto Rico in a thrilling contest with Abass Baraou via split decision, becoming the youngest unified ruler in the sport and the first Puerto Rican to unify at the weight. The popular 23 year old returns to New York for his ninth fight in the Big Apple and does so just a month shy of a year since winning his first World title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, dominating Jorge Garcia Perez to claim the vacant WBO belt.

Ennis (35-0 31 KOs) is looking to become a two-weight unified champion – and does so after just one fight, and one round, up at his new weight. The Philadelphia star unified the Welterweight division in April with a destructive beating of Eimantas Stanionis in Atlantic City to add the WBA strap to his IBF crown, and the 28 year old, who turns 29 the day before the bout with Zayas, signaled his intentions at 154lbs in his debut at the weight, destroying Uisma Lima inside a round on home turf, grabbing the interim WBA title in the process.

“Long before I became a World champion,” said Zayas. “I always sought to face the biggest challenges in my division I have never shied away from a fight and have always been willing to test my skills against anyone.

“Now, as the unified champion, I am ready to defend my world titles against one of the sport’s biggest names. I have always believed in myself, and on June 27, I will continue to show the world what is possible when you dare to be great!”

“Time to step and collect these belts!” said Ennis. “Knocking them down one by one! #AndTheNew.”

“Zayas vs. Boots is everything fans want in a summer blockbuster — two elite level champions, fighting for multiple world titles, staged in an iconic backdrop, New York,” said Alfie Sharman, VP of DAZN. “This matchup is a statement moment for global boxing, and we’re thrilled to deliver it live and exclusive on DAZN. June 27 will be a night where the best fight the best, and fans around the world won’t want to miss it.”

“What a fight!” said Ennis’ promoter and Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn. “I’m thrilled to be able to get this fight made for Jaron – this is exactly the kind of occasion that brings the very best out of a future pound-for-pound #1. Boots shone so brightly against Stanionis in Atlantic City in his first unification fight, and I expect him to light up Brooklyn on June 27.

“But Xander is a special fighter in his own right, and huge props go to him for wanting to fight the very best – Brooklyn has a special fight on it’s hands this summer, and I am counting down the days already.”

“We signed Xander at 16 and have seen him develop into the sport’s youngest current unified champion and a budding superstar,” said Zayas’ promoter and President of Top Rank, Todd duBoef. “Facing the best has always been Xander’s priority, and ‘Boots’ Ennis provides Xander with the next step to prove greatness in only his second title defense.

“The matchup pits boxing’s elite young talent who want to emerge as a pound-for-pound king and entertain the sports world. We’re proud to work alongside Matchroom and DAZN to bring this meaningful fight to a global audience from Barclays Center on June 27.”

“Barclays Center is a premier destination for the biggest nights in boxing and continues to serve as a global stage for the sport’s most exciting talent, a tradition we’re proud to continue with this incredible matchup,” said Laurie Jacoby, Chief Entertainment Officer, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “From championship bouts and global sporting events, Barclays Center has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable nights that resonate far beyond Brooklyn, reflecting our ongoing commitment to bringing world-class competition and must-see moments to our fans.” 

Information on the launch press conference, ticket on sale dates and the undercard will be released in due course.