Terence Crawford has sent some advice the way of Jaron Ennis.
‘Boots’ Ennis returned to his hometown of Philadelphia this weekend to defend his IBF World Welterweight Title, a belt he got his hands on when Crawford was stripped of it before moving up to super-welterweight.
This was Ennis’ seconds defence after a stoppage win over David Avanesyan and it came against Karen Chukhadzhian – a man he beat just under two years ago for the Interim belt.
The first encounter was one of the very few points wins on the record of ‘Boots’ and he was determined to go one better in the rematch, saying pre-fight:
“I’m not going to lie, he’s getting knocked out on Saturday. We’re gonna have some fun, we’re gonna put on a show. It doesn’t matter what he does, we’re going to put on a show and make a big statement Saturday night. We’re gonna have a party.”
“I’m going to have my fun and put on a show. I’m going to just be me and dictate the fight. It’s my ring, he’s in my world.”
“My main focus right now is Karen Chukhadzhian and after I make a big statement Saturday night in knockout fashion, it’s undisputed. Bring me my belts.”
Despite dropping the game Chukhadzhian in the fifth, as well as looking for the knockout under the repeated advice of his corner, Ennis was taken to the scorecards again and won a clear, if tough and rugged, unanimous decision.
It’s no secret that the Philly native now wants to unify the belts in the division, but if that proves difficult – which his team say it has been, he may make a move up to the 154 pound ranks and chase Crawford after missing out on the chance to fight him at 147.
The four-weight world champion from Omaha, who has made no secret that he is not interested in the fight, took to social media to send a message to ‘Boots’.
“I [didn’t] see the fight, but I heard about it. Stay focused and keep working on your craft. Every night’s not going to be the same. Never get too comfortable in this game, if you trying to get to the mecca of the sport. Stay on your mission because all it takes is one slip up.”
Crawford instead has his eyes on a further move up in weight to face Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, though may face the same dilemma as ‘Boots’ in that the other party isn’t overly keen.
