Promoter Eddie Hearn has named the fighter that he believes will replace Terence Crawford as the sport’s pound-for-pound number 1.
‘Bud’ Crawford announced that he had officially retired from boxing last month, drawing the curtain on an outstanding professional career which saw him become a world champion in five weight classes.
The 38-year-old from Nebraska was last in action on September 13 when he defeated Canelo Alvarez via unanimous decision to capture the undisputed super-middleweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Crawford had reportedly shown an interest in returning to the ring and pushing towards becoming a world champion in a sixth weight class, but the 38-year-old opted to call time on his glittering career with ‘nothing left to prove’.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Eddie Hearn claimed that he believes Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has what it takes to establish himself as the best fighter on the planet within the ‘next 12 months’.
“I’ve seen all the top fighters. I truly believe that Jaron Ennis is the pound-for-pound number one in waiting. I’m not talking about (in) three years, I’m talking about 12 months … I think this guy’s going to go through this division, move up to 160, three-weight world champion. I think he’s the guy to replace Terence Crawford. I think he’s that good.”
‘Boots’ Ennis recently began his campaign at 154lbs following a successful spell at welterweight where he held the unified WBA and IBF world titles.
The 28-year-old from Philadelphia stopped Uisma Lima in the opening round of their clash at the Wells Fargo Center on October 11 to capture the WBA ‘interim’ world title at 154lbs, with reports suggesting that he is on the verge of finalising a deal to face countryman Vergil Ortiz Jr next. However, Hearn has urged Ortiz and promoter Oscar De La Hoya to do everything to make the fight happen.
