Eddie Hearn says he’s in assist of Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ choice to maneuver as much as junior middleweight if he fails to safe a unification bout at 147.
Philadelphia’s Ennis, 26, efficiently defended his IBF welterweight title, recording a call win over 28-year-old Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhian at Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.
Regardless of cruising to a unanimous choice win over Chukhadzhian, 24-3 (13 KOs), Ennis’ defensive vulnerability was exploited by the Ukrainian who landed good pictures all through.
Ennis’ promoter Hearn, revealed that his fighter’s plan was to struggle Chukhadzhian after which unify the division.
“We’re able to go for February 22,” Hearn instructed DAZN after the struggle. “The plan was to struggle Karen and unify however like I mentioned, it is getting tight there at 147, and we gotta in all probability transfer to 154.”
Ennis, now 33-0 (29 KOs), would have numerous choices at 154 with the likes of WBA champion Terence Crawford, Sebastian Fundora (WBC and WBO champion), Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF titlist), and Vergil Ortiz amongst others all out there for a struggle.
Nonetheless, Hearn prefers a showdown between Ennis and Ortiz at 154. Ortiz, 22-0 (21 KOs), is but to announce his subsequent opponent since snatching the WBC interim title from Serhii Bohuchuk through a majority choice win in August, whereas Bohachuk faces Israil Madrimov on December 21.
“I feel that it is actually a case of simply making a struggle. I am certain I will get a telephone name within the subsequent 10, quarter-hour to verify the struggle. If we do Boots towards Virgil Ortiz, it’s among the finest fights within the sport,” mentioned Hearn.
Bernard Neequaye is a sports activities journalist with a specialty in boxing protection. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and thru e mail at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.