Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has announced on social media that 2025 will be a “huge” year for him. The 27-year-old is targeting the light heavyweight titles to become the undisputed champion.
Some believe Boots lacks the ambition, guts and sense of adventure to move up to 154 and 160 for bigger money fights.
(Photo credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) remains hopeful of unifying the 147 light heavyweight division, having turned down an opportunity to move up to 154 for a bigger challenge against WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr.
147: A dead end?
Some boxing fans believe that Boots lacks the courage and ambition to do more in his career. He would rather play it safe, working tirelessly towards his goal of becoming the undisputed champion in the dead welterweight division.
It must be frustrating for the promoter Eddie Hearn because there are so many big names at 154, 160 and 168, and he could match Boots Ennis with him if he’s willing to take a chance on his career. Staying at 147 is a dead end for Boots, 27, and Hearn more than anyone knew.
Hearn might be able to accommodate Boots in 2025 by getting him one welterweight unification fight, but no more.
Unless Hearn is willing to pay the other 147-pound champions a king’s ransom, they won’t fight Ennis because their chances of winning are slim. They better hold on to their belts and milking them.
Boots’ recent dismal performance against Karen Chukhadzhian on November 9 may have destroyed what little ambition was left in his body, leaving the risk-averse fighter we see now.
Hearn’s efforts in vain
Karen schooled Ennis for 12 rounds, boxing him, killing him, and outplaying him in front of his fans. Afterward, I wish I’d been a fly on the wall to hear what Hearn had to say privately about his thoughts on Boot’s performance. I seriously doubt Hearn will re-sign Boots when his contract with Matchroom expires as he is going nowhere.
There are so many big fights that Hearn could match Boots with if he’s brave and wants to challenge himself by going up to 154, 160, 168 and 175. He has the frame to compete in all those divisions, but he’s not going to make it. Something is holding him back.
I’d say the best Hearn can hope for with Ennis in 2025 is a meager unification fight against WBA light heavyweight champion Eimantas Stanionis. That’s about it. Bring him back with Karen for the trilogy after that match.
2024 was a good year, but 2025 will be a huge and blessed year for me! 2025. I’m in that mode! I can’t wait šš«¶š¾ Keep up the same energy!
ā Boots (@JaronEnnis) January 2, 2025