Promoter Eddie Hearn says Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’s perfect weight is “160” rather than 154. He states that Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) could go to middleweight now and would be in his “absolute prime.”
Ennis is making his debut at 154 this Saturday, October 11, against Uisma Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The former IBF and WBA welterweight champion Ennis was forced to move up from 147 because he was having diminishing returns after spending his entire career at that weight.
Hearn Spots Ennis’s Real Prime Weight
If Ennis moves up to middleweight now, he would be in a position to fight these guys:
- Terence Crawford
- Carlos Adames: WBC champion
- Erislandy Lara: WBA
- Janibek Alimkhanuly: IBF and WBO
“I think the perfect weight for Boots is 160. I think he could go there now and be in his absolute prime,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to the media today about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis still not at his ideal weight moving up from 147 to 154. “He’ll be tight at 154 tomorrow [at the weigh-in].”
It’s clear from watching how drawn ‘Boots’ Ennis has looked this week in cutting weight that the 154-lb division is not his optimal weight class. He won’t be at his best fighting at junior middleweight, as he’s too big for this division as well.
Why 160 Fits ‘Boots’ Better Than 154
“People think when you move up in weight, all of a sudden it’s easy,” said Hearn. “He’s massive. He will 100% go up to 168 at some point. So, right there, you’ve got a four-division championship. I don’t just want him to be a four-division champion.”
Ennis should have been fighting at middleweight years ago instead of draining himself to the point where he looked like a zombie. Moving up to 154 was a long-overdue move, but this isn’t where he should be. He’s approaching 29 now, and putting on weight.
The Long Road to Undisputed at 154
Hearn says he wants him to become undisputed at 154 before moving up to 160. That’s not a good idea, given that it could take Ennis at least two years to accomplish that.
If Hearn is trying to have ‘Boots’ follow in the same footsteps of Terence Crawford by becoming an undisputed champion in three divisions, it’s a waste of time. Crawford had it easy because the belts were already rounded up at 147 and 168.
If he had to win them individually, he likely would have run out of time or gotten beaten. Trying to win titles held by Osleys Iglesias or Christian Mbilli would likely have been too much for the 38-year-old Crawford. Ennis should forget about investing time in becoming undisputed at 154 and focus instead on moving up to 160 to get the biggest fights in that weight class.
At 160, ‘Boots’ would be in Crawford’s orbit and could pressure him for a fight. Even if that fight doesn’t happen, he could go after the champions and lure fighters from 154 to come up to 160 to fight him.
“I want him to be undisputed in those, because I think he’s the natural successor to Terence Crawford. I think he has the same ability as Crawford because he was undisputed in three weight classes,” said Hearn.
How Ennis Compares to Young Crawford
Ennis’ fighting style is a lot more fan-friendly than Crawford’s, because he’s more of a front-foot fighter who attacks his opponents. Crawford has always been a counter-puncher who passively waits like a spider. He also did a lot of moving when he was younger, and still uses a fair amount now that he’s approaching 40.
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