Jaron Ennis Ducked Mario Barrios – ‘We Agreed To Fight Him, He Took Off’
Mario Barrios’ trainer, Bob Santos, has said Jaron Ennis ducked his fighter.
Ennis is the current IBF Welterweight Champion after being elevated from his ‘interim’ status once Terence Crawford failed to defend his belt against him. Bud was contractually bound to face Errol Spence Jr. in their rematch. While the rematch never happened, the IBF stripped Crawford, making Ennis the beneficiary. Ennis was then linked with a fight against Barrios.
Barrios is the current WBC Interim Welterweight Champion, a belt he acquired after beating Yordenis Ugas. That was the best win of Barrios’ career after having suffered losses at the highest level against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman. Since Barrios has been the WBA Regular Champion at 140, he was looking to go one further by winning a world title at 147. A fight between Ennis and Barrios could be for the full WBC belt if Bud moves up to 154 and vacates. A fight had been verbally agreed, only for Ennis to go elsewhere.
Ennis vs Barrios
“We agreed to fight him. They said, ‘Would you fight Boots? Nobody wants to fight Boots.’ I said, ‘We’ll fight Boots.’ I told everybody that. He went with DAZN now, but we’re with Al Haymon, and I know he’ll let us fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. Maybe that’s something that can be put together sometime with Boots. But obviously, he took off with DAZN for whatever reason, so we’ll see. Boots, Crawford, any of those guys. We agreed to fight him [Boots Ennis]. They approached us and said, ‘Would you be willing to fight him?’ I told everybody, ‘Of course, we’ll fight him.’ Why wouldn’t we fight him?,” Santos said
Since then, things have changed. Boot has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Boot has not been active since stopping Roiman Villa last July. The aim will be to get him fighting more frequently, as a Crawford fight is still being eyed.
“He [Crawford] said a few times he’s not looking my way; I’m not a big enough name. But there’s nobody else left for him to fight. Either you fight me, or you fight nobody,” Ennis stated
Ennis’ Future
There is also the possibility of a Conor Benn fight to introduce Ennis to a British crowd. Since PBC and DAZN do not have the best relationship, getting Ennis to face Barrios may be less likely now. But since Ennis has fought on PBC cards, the door is still open. However, Boot is still focused on the steps ahead as he welcomes the new chapter.
“I’m excited for this partnership with Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and DAZN. I can’t wait to continue making my mark and becoming undisputed World champion. I’ve been out of the ring for a year, and I cannot wait to get back in and do what I do best; entertain the fans and put on clinics. There are blockbuster fights on the horizon for me, and I am ready to deliver them,” Ennis said
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