Jaron Ennis wants Keith Thurman and Yordenis Ugas next

By Boxing News - 04/14/2021 - Comments

By Allan Fox: Welterweight phenom Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (27-0, 20 KOs) says he wants Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman or WBA 147-lb champion Yordenis Ugas next following his stunning sixth-round knockout victory over former IBF 140-lb champion Sergiy Lipinets on April 10th.

The 23-year-old Ennis has no problems earning his shot against welterweight champions Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford, which is why he’s targeting #3 WBC ‘One Time’ Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) and WBA Super World welterweight champion Ugas.

While it may seem a little odd for Ennis to view WBA champion Ugas as a step up to get to Spence and Crawford, but that’s only because he’s not viewed in the same light as those two belt-holders.

Ugas is arguably at a perch a step below those stars, so he’s more of a stepping stone for Ennis.

For boxing fans that want to see Ennis go at it against unbeaten Vergil Ortiz Jr, that fight has no chance of happening until after one or both guys capture world titles.

The promoters for Ennis and Ortiz Jr aren’t going to make that fight later on down the road where it can make a lot of money.

Ennis ready for Thurman or Ugas next

“I could have gotten Lipinets in the third round, but I took my foot off the gas,” said Ennis to PBC Podcast. “I wanted this performance to be punishing and real dominant. And I took my time and eventually got the stoppage later on.

Image: Jaron Ennis wants Keith Thurman and Yordenis Ugas next

“I’m not sure,” said Ennis when asked who he’ll be fighting next. “I want the top guys. I want to fight all the best guys right now that will put me in the position to fight for the world titles because I know I won’t be able to get a world title in my next fight.

“If I fight a better guy than I fought on Saturday, then they can’t deny me. Who are the top three guys right now? Ugas, Keith Thurman, I’m saying besides the champions.

“Of course, I want Spence and Crawford, Pacquiao, and Porter. Nine times out of ten, those guys aren’t just going to pick me. I’ve got to work my way up. I respect it, and that’s what I’m going to do.

“I got to work my way up to a world title, so I guess I got to fight those guys that are under those guys [Spence and Crawford]. I’ll say Keith Thurman and Ugas, and stuff like that,” said Ennis.

It’s going to take a lot of doing for Ennis’ management to set up a fight with Ugas or Thurman. IBF/WBC champion Spence has his sights set on fighting Ugas in July, so that match is expected to happen first.

As far as Thurman goes, he seems to be looking for well-paying fights against Spence, Crawford, and Pacquiao. With the money that Thurman is asking to fight Crawford, that’s probably not going to happen.

It’s doubtful that Thurman would agree to fight a dangerous puncher like Ennis at this point in his career.

If this were five years ago, Thurman would probably take the fight with Ennis, as long as there was a world title on the line.

Nowadays, Thurman appears to be looking for exclusively big-money fights. In that area, Thurman and Mikey Garcia have a lot in common. They’re both looking for paydays.

Boots wants to become the undisputed champion

“Whatever belt presents itself first, that’s the one that we’re going to take. That’s the way you got to be,” said Ennis.

Image: Jaron Ennis wants Keith Thurman and Yordenis Ugas next

“You’ve got to have patience and be perfect. Me winning on Saturday was great, but the jobs not done,” said Ennis.

“It’s me being world champion and then being the undisputed champion. Then do the same thing in the next weight.

“That’s my goal to be the undisputed champion in each weight that I’m in. Take over this boxing game, be a pay-per-view star, and go down in history for having fought all the best fighters,” said Ennis.

It’s not going to be easy for Ennis to unify both the 147 and 154-lb weight classes because it’ll take a lot of work on his part to make that happen.