Terence Crawford gave welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis a mini-pep speak on X, making an attempt to cheer him up after his scare in opposition to IBF obligatory Karen Chukhadzhian final Saturday night time in Philadelphia.
Crawford was basically saying that life will likely be brutal and arduous for Boots Ennis when he strikes as much as 154 to start out dealing with the killers in that weight class, as he talked about eager to do final Saturday night time on the post-fight press convention.
Ennis’ profession may hit all-time low when he takes on proficient fighters at junior middleweight. Sadly, it received’t be the identical good scenario Boots has had at 147, feasting on non-punchers and fighters with mid-range boxing abilities.
IBF welterweight champion Ennis defeated Chukhadzhian by a 12-round unanimous determination of their rematch, however the combat was greater than he or his followers had anticipated.
Boots Regarded Misplaced & Confused
Ennis had repeatedly stated throughout interviews through the combat build-up, “I’m going to have my enjoyable,” and that he can be knocking Chukhadzhian out this time.
It turned out to be a near-disaster for Boots, because it was met with a extra highly effective, aggressive, and proficient model of Chukhadzhian this time that was completely different from the fighter he’d overwhelmed final 12 months on January seventh.
Ennis and his dad/coach, Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, didn’t know what to do. Bozy gave the impression of a damaged report within the nook, barking, “Simply get him out of there,” however with out giving any sound directions. Bozy was no assist for Boots, however there was actually no recommendation he may give him to assist his scenario.
Ennis was out of his league, preventing Chukhadzhian, who possessed technical abilities that he couldn’t take care of. Boots’s coaching throughout his profession was too fundamental to match a fighter as gifted as Chukhadzhian.
Each had been totally confused, like they’d their senses utterly and didn’t know what to do. The Ukrainian expertise, Chukhadzhian, had Ennis’ recreation all discovered, making him appear to be a rudimentary fighter the complete night time, taking away the gang and stealing the present.
Chukhadzhian appeared to have labored on his energy recreation in coaching for the rematch, and he was a totally completely different animal this time. Boots wasn’t prepared for this type of energy, aggression, and expertise from Chukhadzhian, who had schooled him from A to B all night time.
Ennis received as a result of Chukhadzhian lacked mixture punching, held an excessive amount of, and gave too little floor. In a trilogy match, you’d need to favor Chukhadzhian as a result of he would retool his recreation and have all three areas fastened.
Crawford Advises Boots to Work on Craft
The previous four-division world champion Crawford rallied behind the beleaguered Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) after his dreadful efficiency in opposition to Chukadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) on the Wells Fargo Heart, telling him, “Keep in your mission. By no means get snug.”
Crawford discovered how issues can be a lot completely different for his profession after he moved as much as 154 and barely beat WBA champion Israil Madrimov by a 12-round unanimous determination on August third. How can one drowning man save one other?
Crawford has seemingly misplaced all want to pursue the undisputed championship at 154 after his life-and-death battle in opposition to Madrimov. So, he’s the final one to offer Ennis any form of helpless recommendation aside from to warn him about shifting as much as uncharted territory.
Ennis had been calling out Crawford, wanting a combat in opposition to him, however after final night time, nobody would take him severely anymore. He can neglect about that combat perpetually after final night time. Now, it’s extra about Boots saving his profession by deciding which route to go.
Crawford didn’t advise whether or not Ennis ought to keep at 147 or transfer as much as 154 to tackle the sharks in that weight class. Should you had been to learn between the traces, Crawford’s message means that Ennis ought to keep at 147 and proceed to pad his resume on the mudfish on the backside of the ocean quite than go as much as 154.
@JaronEnnis I did see the combat, however I heard about it. Keep centered and hold working in your craft. Each nights not going to be the identical. By no means get to snug on this recreation, in case you making an attempt to get to the mecca of the game. Keep in your mission as a result of all it takes is 1 slip up
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) November 10, 2024
