Xander Zayas versus Jaron “Boots” Ennis represents just that.

Zayas, 23, the unified WBA and WBO 154-pound champion, faces Ennis on Saturday at Barclays Center in New York, on DAZN PPV and as part of the DAZN Ultimate plan. Zayas is The Ring’s No. 3 junior middleweight, while Ennis is No. 5.

Zayas, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has rapidly ascended the ranks, notching the titles in his last two bouts. Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) won the then-vacant WBO title with a one-sided unanimous decision over Jorge Garcia Perez in July 2025, then became the unified champion when he outpointed Abass Baraou for the WBA title on Jan. 31 in Puerto Rico.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) has already been a unified champion at welterweight, accomplishing the feat with a sixth-round stoppage of Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025. The 28-year-old from Philadelphia has had one fight at 154 pounds and stopped Uisma Lima in the first round in October.

Last fight: Defeated Baraou by split decision on Jan. 31 in Puerto Rico.

Odds: Zayas is a significant underdog at +350, while Ennis is the clear favorite at -500 odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

How does he win? His path to victory will lean largely on his size and ability to disrupt Ennis’ rhythm.

Zayas will need to keep the fight at the end of his range or all the way on the inside. His jab and straight right hand will be vital from the outside, especially when Ennis fights southpaw. On the inside, Zayas would be wise to lean on Ennis and make him carry his weight to try to wear him down and limit his explosiveness.

Zayas would be wise to avoid fighting at middle range and exchanging with a bigger puncher. He also can’t afford to overextend with his punches, as that could give Ennis openings to counter with his hooks and uppercuts.

Ennis’ ability to land damaging counter shots is arguably the best part of his offense. The best way Zayas can negate that is by mixing up his timing and using feints to try to get Ennis to react. Using his footwork to keep Ennis from planting his feet would also prove beneficial.

It’s vital that Zayas starts fast and earns Ennis’ respect early, especially given that he hasn’t shown the ability to change a fight with just one punch. Having to chase a knockout late against Ennis could be a recipe for disaster.

Zayas has shown a well-rounded skillset, but he’ll need to elevate his game to another level. If he can do that, then he has a shot to pull off the upset.

What does it mean if Zayas wins? Puerto Rico would have its biggest star since Miguel Cotto. Zayas has already built up a good name, but beating Ennis would take him to another stratosphere. Cotto and Felix Trinidad were two of boxing’s biggest stars at their peak, and Zayas would be following a similar path.

Zayas would establish himself as the top 154-pounder in the world, as no other junior middleweight would have a win on par with beating Ennis.

That could either set the table for a big unification clash against WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora or IBF champion Josh Kelly, or a significant bout with The Ring’s No. 1 junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz, with whom he has already traded words on numerous occasions.

Or Zayas could be opportunistic and move up to middleweight and seek another title in a much more shallow division. Moving up in weight would likely be a strong possibility, win or lose, given how big Zayas is for the weight class.

Regardless, Zayas wouldn’t be short of options and superstardom would likely be on the horizon.

What Zayas is saying: “I am Xander Zayas, and I write history, and I am going to do it one more time on June 27. I'm growing in the sport. I know what I am capable of, and I am pushing myself every time to the limit knowing that I am the best.”

Last fight: Defeated Lima by first-round stoppage on Oct. 11 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

How does he win? Ennis can do it all offensively out of both stances, but he thrives when he’s on the front foot and countering opponents.

That will likely be his best path to victory against Zayas as well.

Taking away Zayas’ jab by jabbing with him or countering it will help Ennis close the gap. Then he can unleash his arsenal and land blistering counters and combinations.

Ennis’ body work is a key aspect of his offense. Leaning on that early and often could prove especially beneficial against an opponent who has to cut a lot of weight to make 154.

For that same reason, pressuring Zayas and forcing him to move and fight him off could also help Ennis wear him down in the later rounds. Cutting off the ring will also help Ennis mitigate Zayas’ movement and force him to fight in spots where he may be seeking a breather.

Both fighters have diverse skillsets, but Ennis is the far more dynamic fighter and can change everything with one punch. Zayas doesn’t have that luxury and will likely need to walk a tightrope to win.

If Ennis can push the pace and counter Zayas early on and wear him down, he’ll have the inside track to become a unified champion in a second division.

What does it mean if Ennis wins? Whereas a Zayas win would mark the emergence of a superstar, Ennis winning would feel more like a coronation.

Ennis has long been viewed as one of boxing’s top talents who just needed to showcase it against high-level opposition. A win over Zayas would easily be the best of Ennis’ career, and he’d cement himself as the guy at 154. He’d also have a strong case to be on pound-for-pound lists.

While unification bouts would be appealing, particularly against Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs), the fight everyone would want is against Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs). Plans were in place for them to fight in April, but a temporary restraining order from Ortiz’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, prevented it from happening.

If Ennis enters that potential bout as unified champion, it adds another layer and raises the stakes even more for one of the best fights that can be made.

What Ennis is saying: “My main goal right now is Xander Zayas. I’m not worried about nobody else right now. After I’m victorious on June 27 and become unified champion at 154, bring them on. After this fight, I’m going to continue to show you why I’m the best in the world and why I am really like that. I’m going to make everything easy.”