Jaron Ennis is struggling to find a dance partner.
The 27-year-old from Philly is currently IBF Welterweight World Champion, elevated after formerly undisputed Terence Crawford moved up a division and vacated his belts.
‘Boots’ always wanted the Crawford bout but missed out on it at 147. Although he has said he’s willing to follow the pound-for-pound star up to make it happen in the future, he recently made it clear that his main goal currently is to unify the welterweight belts.
That would mean fights with Brian Normal Jr, Eimantas Stanionis and Mario Barrios. Promoter Eddie Hearn has said that offers have been made to all three. He recently got into a very public back and forth with Norman and his team, accusing the the fighter of ‘clout chasing’ when he turned down an offer of around $2 million.
With that now firmly off the table, as confirmed by Hearn, the IBF mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian has been ordered a shot. Frustratingly for Team Ennis, they beat Chukhadzhian just eighteen months ago to win the vacant belt.
Failed talks with Norman and the hard-sell of a second Chukhadzhian fight has led Hearn to explore other options. He revealed to IFL TV that, despite Ennis making it clear his goal was undisputed, that he may vacate his world title and move up to super-welterweight immediately.
“Let’s see how the purse bid goes. I also have no problem with Boots moving to 154 pounds. I love the fight with Serhii Bohachuk, we reached out to him. I think that’s a great fight. You’ve got Israil Madrimov. Some great fighters at 154 outside of the champions. We’d love a champion. We’ve got some decisions to make over the next 72 hours, but the decisions will not include Brian Norman.”
Ukraine’s Bohachuk is coming off a hard-fought loss to Vergil Ortiz, a result many felt could have quite easily been a draw or even a win and may just lead to a rematch.
Madrimov was Crawford’s first test at 154 pounds, one the American passed over the distance to take a world title in his fourth division. Hearn believes the former champion should have won on the cards. A stoppage win over Madrimov – something nobody has managed – would be a big statement for Ennis as he continues to call for Crawford.
