Chris Mannix expects Xander Zayas move to middleweight

The veteran journalist believes the loss to Jaron Ennis could be a key learning moment for Zayas and sees potential for him at 160 pounds.

Sports journalist Chris Mannix has shared a very interesting opinion on Xander Zayas.

He is certain that Xander Zayas’s first professional loss will be a decisive turning point in his career. The highly experienced sports journalist even thinks that Xander Zayas could have a clear path to the world title if he moves up to the middleweight division.

Xander Zayas had actually planned to move up to 160 pounds before, regardless of the outcome of his fight with Jaron Ennis, and that could now become a reality.

“I think he’s going to go up to 160 and I think he’s going to do well. I think he’ll be a champion at 160 pounds”

Chris Mannix said on his channel.

Mannix is also convinced that the loss to Jaron Ennis actually did Xander Zayas some good, since that's where he really proved his worth.

“I saw more from Xander Zayas in defeat in that fight than I’d seen from him in any of the wins. I have more respect for Xander Zayas as a fighter coming out of that fight than I did before any of the previous fights”

he said.

He expects that Xander Zayas won't agree to a rematch with Jaron Ennis, but rather that he'll continue his career in the middleweight division. There, Mannix believes the 23-year-old would have a direct and realistic path to the title. More specifically, Mannix mentioned a potential title fight against Denzel Bentley should the WBO belt become vacant. Mannix seems to have a lot of faith in Xander Zayas and is certain that he has a very realistic shot at the title.

For now, however, we should take a closer look at Xander Zayas’s path and see in which division he will continue to fight.

A very interesting perspective from such an experienced journalist. It would certainly be a cool direction for Xander Zayas to take, but it remains to be seen whether that will actually happen in the end. Still, I understand his point of view, and I’d be happy if he was right on the money.