Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ resolution to remain at 147 fairly than go as much as 154 to face WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr relies on his hopes that his promoter, Eddie Hearn, will finally line him up for unification fights towards the opposite three champions.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stated he tried to place the battle between Ennis and Vergil Ortiz collectively, however he couldn’t do it. He says that Boots “Modified his thoughts.”
Hearn isn’t saying who Ennis might battle subsequent when he returns to the ring within the first half of 2025, however it gained’t be towards any of the champions at 147. Ennis will wind up making one other title protection towards a contender in a battle that followers have little curiosity in seeing.
Understanding how Hearn operates, he’ll match Boots Ennis towards one in all these fighters for his subsequent protection in April or Could 2025:
– Lewis Crocker
– Paddy Donovan
– Ekow Essuman
– Pat McCormack
Boots appears to be heading in the identical route as former Hearn fighter Demetrius Andrade, who was matched towards lackluster opposition in his three-fight stint with Matchroom. When Ennis’ contract is up with Hearn, it’s predictable that it gained’t be renewed.
Recognition Plunge
These are usually not fights that can curiosity followers, however Hearn wouldn’t need to pay quite a bit to get any of these fighters to conform to battle Boots. It might be a unique story if Hearn tried to arrange a unification battle for Ennis at 147 as a result of the champions would need some huge cash as a result of excessive danger {that a} battle of that nature would carry.
Ennis’ reputation is at an all-time low after he selected to not transfer as much as face Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs) on the February twenty second card.
It doesn’t look promising for Boots (33-0, 29 KOs) that Hearn will be capable of ship any unification fights for him at welterweight as a result of he’s somebody to keep away from in the division. Ennis is NOT common, lacks persona, and isn’t preventing the kind of opposition that will enhance his notoriety.
“He gave us his phrase and altered his thoughts final minute,” stated His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to Ariel Helani’s channel, speaking about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis not wanting to maneuver as much as 154 for a battle towards Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Ennis ought to have discovered from Hearn’s failure to arrange the unification battle with WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. that he doesn’t have a lot likelihood to get the matches he needs at 147.
With out Turki’s involvement in fights at 147, Boots is nowhere to go as a result of Hearn isn’t going to need to overpay the opposite belt-holders. Turki needs huge fights, and not one of the champions at 147 are common sufficient for a match towards Ennis to create any demand. He’s excited about Ennis difficult Vergil Ortiz Jr, however there’s nothing he can do if he doesn’t really feel as much as it.
A “Dangerous Look” For Boots
“Hearn stated he’s now not going to battle in February. He’s going to need to be pushed into April or into Could,” stated Chris Mannix on his channel, speaking about ‘Boots’ Ennis’ subsequent battle in 2025.
“That doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like he could be shifting as much as battle this career-long junior middleweight [Vergil Jr]. He could be shifting as much as battle a former 147-pounder that he’s been speaking about preventing anyway.
“He’s [Ortiz Jr] not regarded infallible. He beat Serhii Bohachuk however obtained dropped twice in that battle. Should you made Vergil towards Boots, I’d favor Boots. Not by a ton, however I’d favor him early on in that battle. It seems to be like a duck.
It’s uncertain that Boots can beat Vergil Jr. He clearly is aware of that himself, so he balked on the thought of shifting as much as 154 to problem Vergil Jr.
The best way Ennis regarded towards Karen Chukhadzhian, Roiman Villa, and David Avanesyan, he’s not going to beat Ortiz Jr.
“You need to hold your [IBF welterweight] belt. You simply did a compulsory title protection towards Chukhadzhian. You may hold the belt, transfer as much as 154, take a battle, and if it doesn’t work out for you, drop again down and defend your title,” stated Mannix.
“I do know guys, as soon as they transfer up, they actually don’t like to maneuver down. Boots remains to be younger sufficient to probably transfer again down in weight. None of this makes any sense, and it’s a foul look total for Boots Ennis,” stated Mannix.
