Eddie Hearn wants WBO welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez to fight new IBF champion Richardson Hitchins in a unification contest in Brooklyn, New York. Hearn sees a fight between the trash-talking Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) and Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) that would appeal to fans.
Interestingly, Teofimo called Hearn’s fighter, IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, last Saturday, saying he wanted to move up to 147 to face him next. However, rather than Hearn choosing to go in that direction, he is pushing for the Teofimo-Hitchins unification fight to happen later.
Boots was not even mentioned by Hearn. What does Ennis say to you? It is not good. I’m with Hearn on this one. Hitchins is a diamond in the rough and who should be pouring their time, money and energy.
Hearn’s new favorite
This could indicate that Boots is out with Hearn because he failed to shine in his last four fights against Karen Chukhadzhian x 2, David Avanesyan and Roiman Villa. Those four consecutive poor performances and Ennis’ (33-0, 29 KOs) complete lack of charisma signal that he’s not star material or someone Hearn should be pouring his money into to land big fights.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hearn dumps Boots at the end of his multi-fight contract with Matchroom. Ennis has already had two fights and looked horrible and nowhere near star quality.
“Teofimo against Richardson is a massive fight for Brooklyn, but it’s also a fight for Riyadh,” said Eddie Hearn. media on Saturday night after Richardson Hitchins’ victory over Liam Paro. “He against Teofimo is a massive fight for Brooklyn, but if he doesn’t go there, he can go to Riyadh. (Jose ‘Rayo’) Valenzuela boxed in a show in Riyadh.
The Making of a Star
See what I mean? Hearn wants Teo for Hitchins, and I can’t blame him. Eddie realizes that Richardson is a talent who can quickly turn into a global superstar. He has more potential to achieve that than Shakur Stevenson, who is less entertaining than Hitchins in and out of the ring. Hearn hired New Jersey native Shakur, thinking he could make a star out of him, and he’s in the same boat as Boots. It is not realized.
Richardson, 27, has more star potential than Boots and it’s worth it for Hearn to put on a show he can sell to the public. As we saw during training for Hitchins’ title challenge against IBF 140-lb champion Liam Paro last Saturday, he was able to create interest in his fights with his WWE theatrical showtrash-talking, and naturally over-the-top personality.
Boots Ennis is the brand and does not lack the spark for Hearn to be subsidies for matches that will not attract the interest of the public due to the lack of charisma of Jaron and another poor demonstration in the ring.
