Shields watched last weekend's matchup. During the lead up, Zayas, who held the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles, spoke as if he would dominate Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs).

After witnessing Ennis score three knockdowns en route to a seventh-round stoppage victory, Shields is in awe.

“I like Xander, I do, but Boots beat the dog sh*t out of him from the first bell,” Shields said to several reporters Friday. “To me, that was an A-plus performance by Boots.”

Zayas did give Ennis a scare in the third round. He landed several good shots, forcing him to grab and hold to clear his head.

Nevertheless, the former champion (23-1, 13 KOs) couldn’t use the momentum he gained to pull off the massive upset.

In the seventh round, the Puerto Rican took a knee as Ennis continued to pour it on. Soon after, the 23-year-old’s corner ran over to the apron and called off their absorbing contest. After the third knockdown, Zayas glanced at his coaching team and shook his head in approval, acknowledging that continuing to fight wouldn’t be the best idea.

Zayas has been praised for his heart and character. Shields, who once said she could beat Keith Thurman and Rolly Romero, doesn’t believe he should receive so much praise.

“Had Boots quit against Xander, they would be calling Boots a quitter,” she said.. “But because Xander quit or got stopped against Boots, they're saying he got so much heart. Be fair. At 154, Boots is the man.”

Shields meanwhile, will make her return to middleweight when facing Australia's Kaye Scott (5-1-1) for her WBA and WBC titles on August 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.