Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, acquired horrible information final week: The IBF has mandated that he defend in opposition to his welterweight contender, Karen Chukhadzhian, in a rematch that may eat up the remaining battle for the Philadelphia native this yr.
Boot’s aim of staying at 147 lengthy sufficient to develop into an undisputed champion would require extra time than he can afford, stall his profession, and damage his money-making potential.
Boots should neglect about capturing the 147-lb belts and transfer as much as 154 to hunt higher alternatives. If he or his promoter, Hearn, is fearful about his capacity to thrive at 154, they will intention low, goal the straightforward marks on the underside rung of the division, and await the blokes on the high to age.
Crawford’s Disinterest
Terence Crawford, 36, gained’t be round an excessive amount of longer, and he’s already stated many occasions that he has zero curiosity in combating Boots.
So, if the fear is for Ennis and his group that they could be pressured to battle Crawford in the event that they transfer as much as 154, they needn’t fear as a result of he’s specializing in the large sport, not the ambition-less small fries that lack initiative.
Crawford is aware of Boots can’t draw, so he desires nothing to do with him. He’s unfit of his curiosity, and he’s doing nothing to extend his reputation by staying at 147. Boots’ choice to remain at welterweight proves that he’ll by no means be within the Crawford league. The 2 have totally different mindsets. Crawford is a risk-taker, whereas Boots performs it protected, avoiding the killers.
It’s now silly for Ennis to remain at welterweight as a result of he gained’t get the three fights he wants in opposition to the three belt-holders to develop into the undisputed champion.
With out His Excellency Turki Alalshikh lending a serving to hand to throw cash at WBC champ Mario Barrios, WBA champ Eimantis Stanionis, and WBO champ Brian Norman Jr, Boots may take years to get these fights.
Staying at 147: A Signal of Weak spot
He can be no higher off popularity-wise than he’s now. Boots would in all probability be worse off as a result of these fights would go below the radar with informal boxing followers, and he can be in his 30s by the point he completes the roles.
Ennis already defeated Chukhadzhian final yr by a 12-round unanimous choice with a set of 120-x 3 scores in one in every of Boot’s worst performances of his profession. The battle was unwatchable due to its dullness.
Hearn spoke of constructing a proposal to WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios for a unification battle with Boots. Nevertheless, that supply is reportedly not practically sufficient to entice Barrios, and Hearn should improve the quantity or hand over and give attention to Ennis’ necessary Chukhadzhian.
“I’m not over the moon about it. We need to make the largest fights on the market, unification fights,” stated Hearn, reacting to the IBF ordering Boots Ennis to defend his title in opposition to Chukhadzhian in a rematch.
