Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis dominated Xander Zayas in a Fight of the Year candidate on Saturday to become a two-division world champion.‘Boots’ was forced to overcome adversity like never before to capture the WBO and WBA super welterweight titles at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in a gripping contest that the entire boxing world has lauded.Ennis took a comfortable lead after two rounds having dropped Zayas in the first two minutes of the fightGettyBut Zayas rallied back in the third and has received widespread praise for his mentality to keep on goingGettyThree knockdowns were ultimately enough for the Puerto Rican as his corner stopped the fight in round sevenGettyBrilliant ‘Boots’ overcomes brave ZayasAs many predicted, Philadelphia’s Ennis had Zayas’ number in the opening exchanges, dropping the Puerto Rican less than two minutes into the first round with a flurry of electric blows.Ennis kept finding the target with his straight left hand and oozed coolness to get the better of Zayas through the following three minutes until momentum abruptly changed.Zayas was stunned, but the 23-year-old soon had Ennis on the back foot with a strong right in round three, snapping his head back with another moments later as the Brooklyn crowd roared.Suddenly, Zayas was right back in the fight and we had a blockbuster on our hands.However, Ennis, clearly agitated at how the previous round played out, came out and met fire with fire in the fourth, slipping and sliding, unloading with vicious right hands.As time ticked on, both men exchanged heavy leather, but Ennis established his dominance in round five as a sharp uppercut at the midway point had Zayas floored once again.Referee Harvey Dock looked like he was seconds away from stopping the fight, but much to Zayas’ credit, the Puerto Rican bit down on his gumshield and carried on.But Zayas couldn’t give anymore in the seventh, when Ennis mixed it up and began teeing off against the ropes, eventually scoring knockdown number three.Zayas smartly took a knee, but his corner had seen enough and the fight was rightfully waved off after a remarkable performance from Ennis.The 29-year-old now boasts an astounding 36-0 record, with 32 knockouts, and relished the moment to hear those precious words ‘and new’ after his victory.View Tweet: https://t.co/ucJsLF1851Ennis made a successful debut at 154lbs against Uisma Lima last October and is now a unified champion in the divisionGetty“I put on a show for the fans and I appreciated [Zayas] taking this, because he didn’t have to,” Ennis, a former WBA and IBF welterweight champion, said.“I feel tremendous hearing ‘and the new unified world champion at 154.’“I knew he would come forward, and we were ready for it. I just took my time, stayed patient, and listened to my corner.”Promoter Eddie Hearn said it was ‘one of the most exciting, thrilling fights’ that showed ‘what big-time boxing is all about.’And the biggest names in boxing have all since weighed in with their thoughts on the Brooklyn spectacle.Eubank Jr: Ennis one of boxing’s baddest menWriting on social media, Chris Eubank Jr was full of praise for Zayas, but recognised just how great Ennis truly is.Ennis put on a clinic against Zayas and proved too much for the Puerto Rican as the rounds went byGettyHe will now look ahead to becoming undisputed champion at super welterweight after his remarkable showingGetty“Zayas had some real heart tonight,” Eubank Jr said.“A lot of credit to that young man… so many fighters these days give up when they are hurt or in tough fights… he stood his ground and took his licks like a man… still a big future ahead of that kid.“But for right now it’s Boots’ time… hell of a performance… one of the baddest men in boxing right now.”WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson said: “Good fight, Boots put that s*** together for the KO.“All credit to Xander, he showed a tremendous heart and fought his a** off tonight!”Meanwhile, Jake Paul credited Zayas for his mentality, adding that the Puerto Rican showed many how it’s done.“Boxing needs more Xander Zayas’s,” Paul said.“23 and dared to [be] great. He lost the fight, but he won a lot of fans and will be back. Congrats to Boots Ennis.”Still only 23, Zayas will no doubt be back.Speaking after the first defeat of his 24-fight career, he said: “I showed if you dream big, sometimes you fall short, but it’s part of the journey.”Ennis, on the other hand, will now be on a charge to undisputed status at 154lbs.Briton Josh Kelly and American Sebastian Fundora are the other titleholders at 154lbs, holding the IBF and WBC straps, respectively.Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.