What Is Jaron Ennis’ Next Fight?

Jaron Ennis‘ next fight will become clearer with the likelihood that he could face his IBF mandatory Karen Chukhadzhian on November 9 in Philadelphia.
Eddie Hearn has revealed that talks are ongoing to secure that fight, which would be the second defense of Ennis’ title. He stopped David Avanesyan in the fifth round in his last fight, his first fight with Matchroom Boxing. Since then, there have been several hurdles in trying to make his next fight. Ennis was in negotiations with the WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. to create a unification fight.
Ennis’ Issue
Eddie Hearn reportedly offered 1.7 million, the highest offer, following a series of other offers. However, that was not enough to secure the fight, as Norman Jr.’s team allegedly wanted 2.2 million. The purse bids for the Karen fight went ahead, and Matchroom lost it by $250,000, indicating that they were not fully behind this fight. However, Ennis now has a choice to make. He can either defend his IBF belt and chase undisputed at 147.
There are possible unification fights: Mario Barrios, the WBC Welterweight Champion, is one. There is also a unification with the WBA Welterweight Champion Eimantas Stanionis. But to get those fights over the line, Ennis may have to accept that he takes less of the pot than he usually would. The other option is to vacate the IBF belt and move straight up to 154 pounds.
The primary fight at that weight class is against Terence Crawford. Crawford is the WBA Junior Middleweight Champion after having beaten Israil Madrimov in his first fight at the weight class. The win made Crawford a four weight world champion as he set his sights on securing a Canelo Alvarez fight at super middleweight.
Ennis’ Options
But there is no guarantee that the fight will happen, leaving a bout with Ennis as the next best option. The Saudis are on board with making Crawford vs. Ennis. But if Boots cannot secure the Crawford fight at 154 pounds, other big fights are available. Virgil Ortiz Jr. is a knockout artist, having stopped all of his opponents bar one.
There is also the option of facing the former WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Tim Tszyu. Ennis must ensure that he makes the right moves as he enters the peak of his career. Hearn revealed that there will be some news forthcoming.
“Bam will fight in the U.S. next. We’re planning a really big show for November in the US. It could be on the East Coast. We want to continue the success that we’ve had (with Boots) in Philadelphia. We’re speaking to Karen’s team; we’ll see what’s next,” Hearn said
Ennis is suffering from a similar problem that Crawford faced. Bud was beating whoever was in front of him, but not getting the credit. It was only until he stopped Errol Spence Jr. that he was recognized as one of the best ever. Ennis will hope to secure a breakout fight like that.
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.