Tim Bradley Tells Crawford To Fight Boots – ‘Beat Him, Add To Your Legacy’
Tim Bradley has called on Terence Crawford to fight Jaron Ennis to avoid claims he is ducking him.
Crawford was stripped of his IBF Welterweight Title after failing to face Ennis, who was his mandatory. Bud, however, was contractually obliged to face Errol Spence Jr. after having stopped him, which meant Ennis became the full IBF champion instead. Crawford then moved to 154 pounds as he will face Israil Madrimov on August 3. Ennis’ new deal with Matchroom Boxing offers him hope of getting that Crawford fight.
Matchroom are close with the Saudis, while Crawford is also fighting on Riyadh Season’s first card overseas in August. Boots boxes David Avanesyan on July 13 in the first defense of his IBF belt. Provided Ennis and Crawford win their next fights, it may increase the narrative to make that fight. Bradley wanted to see the two face off in the ring.
Bradley Reacts
“You got Boots. That’s a good fight. I think it’s a winnable fight. It takes care of a lot of the banter of, ‘You haven’t faced anybody,’ that Crawford faces on a day-to-day basis. Fight Boots, the guy that’s up and coming. The guy that everybody believes is the next coming of you, Crawford. You beat him, and you add more to your legacy. I think Crawford should eventually if he’s going to stay in the game any longer, he needs to visit that Boots,” Bradley stated
But the chances of making that fight are small. Ennis is a big risk with very little rewards. He won his world title after only being elevated. Meanwhile, if he boxes Crawford at 154, Bud has no incentive. Ennis does not have belts and is a knockout artist with a 31-0 record and 28 stoppages. In addition, Ennis did not fight big names to earn the fight with Crawford. But had beaten several big names before he got the Spence fight.
Ennis On Crawford
He stopped Jeff Horn, Shawn Porter, and Kell Brook on his way to a 100 percent KO rate of 147, which got him the Spence fight. Ennis, meanwhile, has plenty of things to clean up at 147. He could box Mario Barrios, who is the WBC Welterweight Champion, in a massive unification. He also has a potential fight with Eimantas Stanionis, who is the WBA Welterweight Champion. Stanionis is undefeated with a 15-0 record, which includes nine stoppages. Once Ennis has dominated the division, then the Crawford fight could happen. That is his aim.
“I am not sure if Terence Crawford wants the fight or not. He went out publicly a few times saying he not looking my direction, he not looking my way, I am not a big enough name, I am not this, I am not that. But there is no one else left for him to fight. Either you fight me or you fight nobody,” Ennis said
The longer the fight does not get made, the more difficult it will be too see Crawford-Ennis. Crawford is at the latter end of his career at 36, while Ennis enters his prime at 27. But if there is enough money on the table, it could happen.
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