Eddie Hearn Signals Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ Shift Towards Welterweight Unifications

Promoter Eddie Hearn wants his new signee Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to focus on unification fights against the other welterweight champions, leading to a mega-clash against Terence Crawford.

The fight against Crawford is Matchroom boxing promoter Hearn’s big goal for Boots (31-0, 28 KOs), but it’ll have to wait until he’s collected the other three belts at 147.

Mandatory Defense First

“Yes, it’s [a fight against Conor Benn] there, but I’m more interested at the moment with Cody Crowley, his mandatory. He has to get that out of the way,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to the media when asked a Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ next fight with his Matchroom Boxing company.

The match against IBF mandatory Cody Crowley could come in July in Boots’ hometown of Philadelphia, assuming the fight gets made. Hearn didn’t say who the backup plan would be if Crowley chose to reject the match.

Hearn says Conor Benn isn’t a priority for Ennis. That would be a waste if Hearn were to make that fight because Conor is popular in the UK, and once he’s cleared to fight in that country, there’s money to be made.

Eyes on Unification Bouts

“I’d like to make Boots against [WBA welterweight champion Eimantas] Stanionis. I would like to make Boots against [WBC interim 147-lb champion Mario] Barrios as well. I think now, there’s a big opportunity to make unification fights for Boots, whereas previously there probably wasn’t,” said Hearn.

It remains to be seen if any of the unification fights that Hearn wants for Boots can be made.

He’ll have to come up with a lot of money to interest Barrios and Staminionis to take a dangerous fight against Boots because they and their promoters have got to know that they’re unlikely to win. The Saudis could make things easier if they’re willing to stage Boot’s unification fights in their country.

Crawford vs. Ennis: The Big Goal

“Crawford, Spence, they all know how good Jaron Ennis is, and if you can bring the other guys in the mix and pay them well, I think they will fight Jaron Ennis, but he’ll be out in July,” said Hearn. “We’ll bring him home to Philadelphia, and then I want to make a big unification for him.

“Ultimately, leading to one of the biggest and best fights in the sport, which is Terence Crawford against Jaron Ennis,” said Hearn.

If Boots Ennis doesn’t get to a fight against Crawford for two years, the Nebraska native will be close to 40, and he likely won’t have much left. We’ll see if Crawford is still around by then because he could retire.