Jaron Ennis is the boxer who is avoided the most.
At this moment, there is little doubt regarding his abilities. In his young career, the 25-year-old welterweight has not only knocked out 27 of his opponents, but he has also barely lost a round.
Ennis, better known as “Boots,” is arguably the best boxer in the world without a world championship or the opportunity to win one. He has proven to be superior to the rest of the division and is certainly prepared to compete with the elite.
Jaron Ennis is the boxer who is avoided the most.
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As Errol Spence Jr., holder of the welterweight WBA, WBC, and IBF belts, and Terrence Crawford, holder of the welterweight WBO belt, negotiated a highly awaited undisputed title bout, Ennis appeared to be next in line to challenge the victor.
Spence and Crawford’s negotiations significantly went down, forcing Ennis to wait. Crawford instead faced and defeated fringe contender David Avanesyan, while Spence is expected to fight Keith Thurman next.
Ennis wants them to fight each other, fight him, or move out of the way, so none of this helps. However, neither Spence nor Crawford appear eager to accept a challenge from Ennis prior to their bout.
Ennis told The Post, “They are without a doubt keeping the division afloat.” “As I previously stated, I was meant to fight in October, November, and December of this year, but everyone was waiting. We were waiting to see what they were going to do because they were holding things up. Certainly, it was holding things up a little bit. If they do not fight, they will have to battle one of the young killers. It is either me or Vergil Ortiz. Or anyone else that may be present. Nobody wants to see them fight Keith Thurman or Avanesyan. Everyone desires to see them engage in combat with one another or with us.”
Ennis will instead face Karen Chukhadzhian (21-1) in a 12-round welterweight bout on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia card (Saturday, 9 p.m., Showtime PPV) at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Ennis cannot demonstrate much more in the ring to demonstrate his readiness for the welterweight elite, but he can move closer to the opportunities he seeks. If he has previously demonstrated his skill, he may now demonstrate his celebrity.
“Putting on a beautiful knockout, getting my fans, fanbase, and support system up, from famous people, celebrities, after this fight, everything should increase and I should be a bigger household name than I am now,” stated Ennis. “Everyone will know who I am, especially because I’ll be competing on PPV and on a major night with [Davis], who is already a household figure. After my performance on January 7 and my stunning knockout, I believe I should be headlining a PPV main event or my own card at home, or anything else. From now on, I feel like I should be the main attraction.”
This fame may be the ultimate step in Ennis’s growth. Soft-spoken outside the ring, Ennis generally avoids the trash talk and excessive self-promotion that so many of his competitors engage in.
The native of Philadelphia has long believed that his achievements in the ring will lead him to his desired destination, but he has been confronted with obstruction and avoidance. Considered a high-risk, low-reward opponent, he poses a considerable danger but lacks the following or reach to make a matchup profitable.
Ennis is willing to alter his tone and demand attention if necessary. Although Chukhadzhian may not be the opponent Ennis desired, he has the largest platform to yet to deliver his message.
“If it were up to me, I would just be myself and do all my talking in the ring. Who wouldn’t want a wrestler who does his thing in the ring and doesn’t communicate much outside the ring? Ennis stated, “I believe it would be appropriate for me to do that, be myself, be normal, and not overdo anything or pretend to be someone I’m not.” “The fans will continue to gravitate around me as they do today.
“Perhaps a little more talking outside the ring, but I shouldn’t have to do that. Why would I need to communicate outside of the ring if my abilities speak for themselves? But if I have to do that, if I have to say a few words to get them in the ring, then that’s what we’ll do.”
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