By: Sean Crose
There’s no doubt that IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis is the most highly regarded fighter in his weight class at the moment. With Errol Spence still unranked and Terence Crawford moving up to middleweight, the welterweight division is in search of a king. And, without a doubt, Ennis is the first of his peers at welterweight. However, Mario Barrios, Brian Norman JrAnd Eimantas Stanionis also holds the welterweight title, which means Ennis isn’t the only champion in the division. He has three peers who are also champions…and they’re sure to want to rule the welterweight realm themselves. However, the highly-rated Ennis remains focused.
EQUAL SI.com “Ennis has made his goals clear when he says his main focus is to unify the welterweight division,” he writes. While Crawford is clearly in Ennis’s sights, he is now determined to become the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. “I’m definitely looking for the biggest fights I can get,” he says. “I want Terence Crawford, but I guess he’s looking other ways and trying to find other fights. My main goal right now is to become the undisputed champion at 147, to collect these belts.” It’s hard to argue that, given the lack of a Crawford fight, Ennis is determined to turn lemons into a high-end lemonade.
Ennis has a lot going for him, though: power, accuracy, and the ability to mix up his punches. Add to that his speed and solid defense, and it’s clear that the 27-year-old Philly native is the complete package. Ennis’s most recent fight was in July, when he knocked out David Avanesyan in five rounds. He currently holds a 32-0 record with 29 knockouts. However, Ennis has yet to face an opponent that most would consider to be at least his equal. With Crawford having spent his career above 147 pounds, the likelihood of Ennis facing such an opponent in the near future is likely slim.
Hence the desire to become “The Man” at welterweight. If he achieves his goal, Ennis will surely be headed to the Hall of Fame. Welterweight is a truly glamorous division, home to Floyd Mayweather, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Ray Leonard and seemingly countless other greats. Whether Ennis can achieve his lofty goal remains to be seen. Boxing politics can certainly pose serious career hurdles. As can unexpected defeats. However, such risks are part of the business – something Ennis is clearly aware of.
