Jaron “Boots” Ennis says he wants to fight superstar Terence Crawford, but he’s not doing anything to make that happen. Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) chose to stay at 147 in his safe place, defending the IBF email title against little-known fighters rather than move up to 154 for position to land the big prize, a fight against Crawford.
Boots would rather play it safe, defending his belt against fighters like Karen Chukhadzhian, rather move forward to force a fight against Crawford. Look at it this way: Boots has carved out a beautiful existence, making millions of nameless fights in the landfill at 147, and shouldn’t worry about being exposed by Crawford or the many talents at 154.
Ennis could have already hired Crawford by moving up to 154 and beating one of these fighters:
– Sebastian Fundora
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Serhii Bohachuk
– Tim Tszyu
– Vergil Ortiz Jr
Boot Ennis lack of initiative to make the Crawford fight happen, he makes it clear that he wants no part of the Crawford fight because it could potentially destroy his career.
It’s a risky fight for Ennis, 27, because if he loses to Crawford, the good paydays he’s currently getting fighting for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom will dry up. He will be just one of many contenders at 154, trying to land fights against top fighters.
Hearn won’t keep Ennis around if he’s beaten by Crawford and proves to be a hype job, which some fans already see him as.
To be part of Hearn’s prestigious Matchroom team, you have to produce, take risks and show that you belong in their company. So far, Ennis has not fulfilled the promise and does not show the courage necessary to become a star by moving up to 154 to force a fight with Crawford, the other killers in that weight class.
Boots doesn’t have the personality to be a star outside of the ring. He has to become a star by fighting the best, and he doesn’t try to fight these types of fighters. Hearn is going to figure it out sooner or later Ennis is a deadbeat and lacks the ambition to do more than himself in his career.
“I hope it’s true. Like I said. I asked for that fight, and I’m tired of answering these same questions. You all go ask him! I’ve said yes many times; I’m tired of answering,” said Boots Ennis to Ariel Helwani channel when asked if it is true or false that he will fight Terence Crawford at some point in his career.
