Is Boots getting too big for the limit? Jaron Ennis is considering leaving the welterweight division – despite an offer for a Lopez mega-fight.
After his impressive win over Eimantas Stanionis (15-1, 9 knockouts) and the unification of the IBF and WBA welterweight titles, Jaron “Boots” Ennis (34-0, 30 knockouts) is thinking about moving up to half-middleweight. Although a lucrative mega-fight against Teofimo Lopez at welterweight is on the cards, the unbeaten superstar seems to prefer to move up a limit.
Promoter Eddie Hearn gave BoxingScene some insight: “Boots wants to fight for his legacy, not just the money. He worked his way back down for the Stanionis fight, but it was brutal – even with nutritional advice.” Ennis himself also sees his performance limit reached at 147 pounds: “I was strong against Stanionis – but that wasn’t my best self.”
As the welterweight titles of Brian Norman Jr. and Mario Barrios are currently blocked, there is no real prospect of unification. Norman Jr. will face Jin Sasaki on June 19 in a WBO world title fight, while Mario Barrios is scheduled to defend his WBC belt against ring legend Manny Pacquiao on July 19. Ennis could therefore soon make the leap to the higher limit – which would put a fight against Teofimo Lopez, who has recently been fighting at half-welterweight, in doubt. A decision is expected soon.
Text by Robin Josten