… It all will come down to Zayas’s counterpunching and will he be able to exchange with Boots effectively.
Boots is those kindsa guys who likes to beat up on guys who can’t counterpunch and ain’t punching back at him. Zayas is not that kind of fighter. In fact, Zayas is an excellent counter-puncher and hits hard too. Plus, Zayas rolls and ducks with his counterpunches- meaning Zayas won’t be there to be hit up on like so many of Boots’s other opponents.
Zayas has a chance to outpoint Boots. But, as I said in another thread, I believe he comes in overweight on fight night closer to 164…and will try to stop Boots.
I dunno, @Master ??? That Zayas kid, while young, has some solid fundamentals plus he is agile with it. His jab is pretty decent and his counter-punching is quality- he can roll with the punches at angles. This won’t be a walkover for Boots. I will say again, Zayas comes in closer to 164 on fight night… solid muscle too.
Boots has otherworldly gifts. As I’ve said all along… kudos to Zayas for the major “cojones” to go after this fight. I’ll be solidly rooting for Xander. But will admittedly be a bit nervous.
I’ve arrived at giving Zayas an honest shot. Still see Boots winning but a lot of it comes down to Zayas gameplan and discipline. Keeping his head in a mix. All the bulk is what it is but if he forces the overcompensating for what the naysayers are singing, he’ll be in some trouble. I honestly think if he works on keeping Boots off balance and timing the resets he can have success. Boots has superior reflex. He’s one of those guys that you can see the natural twitch and athleticism is obvious, but to me he can also set up just a little flat after the initial explosion. I dunno man, tons of variables and scenarios. And honestly, it’s nice to have a top tier fight where the idiot promoters, the social media slap fights and their dads are not overshadowing it and taking the focus off. Just styles, perceived pluses and minuses and outcomes. Let’s get it!
Yea, @Spicoli … This fight is a palate cleanser from the other stuff that has invaded boxing over the past few years- the Paul brothers, bareknuckle boxing, Zuffa boxing and all of the boxing dads living vicariously through their sons.
I don’t think you guys may have appreciated, but boxing was under attack over the past 24 months and arguably, longer. Ever since that male boxer at the Olympics fighting in the female division and winning gold, the sport has been under attack from many different fronts… It was becoming hideous.
