Ennis Wants To Become Undisputed At 147 – ‘That’s My Goal’
Jaron Ennis says he is targeting the Undisputed Welterweight Title as he struggles to win the big fights at 147.
Ennis is the IBF Welterweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully by stopping David Avanesyan in his last fight. He tried desperately to create a unification fight against the other fighters at 147, such as Brian Norman Jr., Mario Barrios and Emanuel Stanios. Talks broke down just as the IBF ordered him to face his mandatory Karen Chukhadzhian. That was the fight that Ennis went ahead with, as he will defend his belt on November 9. There have been suggestions that Ennis needs to move up in weight if he cannot make the fights at 147, given that he is in his prime.
He has been linked with a fight against Terence Crawford, who currently boxes at 154 pounds. Bud won the WBA Junior Middleweight Title after beating Israil Madrimov in his last fight. Crawford has been chasing a fight with Canelo Alvarez, which would require him to move up two weight classes to face him at 168 pounds. However, the Mexican has shown reluctance to take that fight, meaning that Crawford may retire. Ennis could move up to 154 pounds and pressure Crawford to take that fight by getting big wins. Boots said his main focus is at 147, as he targets undisputed.
Ennis’ Aim
“I could move up in weight, but right now my main focus is to be undisputed at 147. That’s my goal. Like I said, after I win on November 9th and get my mandatory out of the way, it’s time to collect the rest of these belts and make these bigger fights happen. In my division, [Mario] Barrios probably got the biggest name besides myself at 147, and I think me and him would go crazy. Everybody would want to see that,” Ennis said
Those comments make sense since Ennis has no big-name wins to call for those fights. He ultimately inherited the IBF belt after Crawford vacated. Bud chose not to face Boots when the latter was the IBF interim champion at 147. Ennis has not beaten a champion to take a belt, meaning that wins against the other champions at 147 would aid his cause for the big fights.
Ennis’ Future
He is seen as the best welterweight in the weight class, so his chances of becoming undisputed are high. If he could become an undisputed champion and then move up to 154 pounds, it would give Crawford an incentive to face him. Crawford could have a victory against an undisputed champion on his resume. But if the Crawford fight does not happen, Ennis is also open to facing other fighters at 154 pounds.
“I’ve been chasing everybody. I’ve been chasing Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jnr, Keith Thurman – I’ve been chasing all of these guys. Ask Crawford. Ask them. That weight is poppin’ right now. Everybody up there. Hopefully you might see me up there. You never know. They are all great fighters, but I really can’t pick who’s the best. Hopefully these guys will step up and sign on the dotted line. These are the fights everybody wants to see,” Ennis stated
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