Jaron Ennis is regarded one of the best welterweight fighters in the world.
He is the reigning IBF champion, having picked been elevated from interim champion last year when Terence Crawford was stripped of his belt.
Ennis made his first defence with a dominant fifth round stoppage win against David Avanesyan in July, but a lacklustre display against Karen Chukhadzhian followed in November, with ‘Boots’ having to a settle for a unanimous decision win.
The Philadelphia star is keen to secure a big fight next, with a step up to face Crawford at 154lbs, or unification fights at welterweight against the likes of Brian Norman Jr and Mario Barrios seen as potential options.
One man who says ‘Boots’ is overrated due to the lack of high level opposition he’s faced is former welterweight champion Shawn Porter, who told The Porter Way Podcast that he needs to move up in weight.
“Boots is overrated. He had 1 fight in 2022, for all of the training that he does. 2 fights in 2023, for all of that training. This now being only his second fight in 2024 against an Eastern European fighter with a style you never see and a name you never knew.
This is a rematch so he knows the name but Philly don’t know the name and the boxing world don’t know the name. I’m not trying to be disrespect to Chukhadzhian but you expect him to get up and get ready and be that guy. It ain’t happening. He needs to move up to 154lbs.”
