Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis claims he didn’t know what was happening with the Vergil Ortiz Jr. scenario when he opted to not conform to battle him on His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s February twenty second Riyadh Season card.
In an interview, Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) initially mentioned it was a “miscommunication,” and he wasn’t within the loop for the Vergil Jr. talks. Nonetheless, in the identical interview, Ennis admits that he selected to not battle Ortiz as a result of he wished to remain at 147 and attempt to unify the division.
Apparently, when Boots was requested about his earlier remarks about being prepared to go as much as 154 to battle Terence Crawford, he mentioned that’s completely different as a result of he’s a future Corridor of Famer. So, he would transfer as much as 154, however he must be a large battle towards Crawford.
Followers nonetheless assume Ennis ducked Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs), contemplating he would have gotten a giant payday and elevated his possibilities of getting a battle with Crawford.
If Boots moved as much as junior middleweight, he would not less than have an opportunity of getting that battle. Staying at 147 provides him no alternative as a result of he’s in a unique weight class, combating much less common fighters.
“Out Of The Loop”
“I reached out to all people concerned to get all the way down to the underside of what was happening and it was a bunch of miscommunication. I acquired a terrific group, and I employed them to do their job, however I simply felt like I used to be out of the loop. To any extent further, I might be extra in tune of what’s happening,” mentioned Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to YSM Sports activities Media, claiming he didn’t know what was happening when with the Vergil Ortiz Jr. battle that he selected to not take.
“They referred to as on the deadline [for the February 22nd card], and I used to be undecided,” mentioned Ennis about why he didn’t take the battle with Vergil Jr. “I need to unify or be undisputed. Everyone was calling me an ‘Electronic mail champion’ as a result of I used to be by no means capable of take a title from any individual. I used to be given a belt. I by no means acquired that feeling of profitable a world title and taking it from any individual,” mentioned Boots.
That sounds weak from Ennis, who says that he desires to remain at 147 as a result of he NEVER received a world title from anyone and was emailed his IBF belt. The issue is that the three different welterweight champions are extremely regarded. They’re seen as paper champions with no fan base and received’t assist Boots’ recognition if he does beat them.
One other drawback is all of the champions are tied up at 147, and so they’re not going free. In the event that they do grow to be obtainable, Boots’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, would want to satisfy their asking worth. He failed to try this with WBO champion Brian Norman Jr., Mario Barrios, or WBA champ Eimantas Stanionis. If Ennis stays at 147 in 2025, it’s doable that Hearn received’t be capable to arrange a unification battle for him.
“Terence Crawford is a future Corridor of Famer,” mentioned Ennis, when requested why he’d be prepared to go as much as 154 to battle Crawford if given the chance however NOT Vergil Ortiz Jr. “It’s the identical factor him making an attempt to get Canelo. Going as much as 168 and solely combating Canelo, however no person else at 168. It’s the identical factor.”
If Ennis is prepared to maneuver as much as 154 to battle Crawford, he ought to have moved as much as battle Vergil as a result of it seems to be unhealthy that he selected to not battle him on Turki’s card on February twenty second.
Validation At 147
“2025, my subsequent bout is a unification. Like I mentioned earlier than. I acquired to get my palms on a kind of belts [at 147],” mentioned Ennis. “I acquired to get that feeling from taking a belt from any individual. I’ve but to really feel that feeling, and I really feel like that’s what I want for my profession and my legacy.
“I want that feeling from taking a belt from any individual. I really feel like that may stamp myself. I’ll really feel higher about myself at 147,” mentioned Ennis.
