Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has distanced himself from a potential mega fight with WBO world super lightweight titlist Teofimo Lopez, seemingly pursuing undisputed welterweight glory instead.
The 27-year-old retained his IBF crown at 147 lbs with a relatively lacklustre performance against mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian last month.
But since then, Jaron Ennis has catapulted himself into the conversation to face fellow American star Teofimo Lopez, headlining a joint ESPN and DAZN pay-per-view show next year.
And sure enough, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum confirmed earlier this week that his attorney has already been in talks with Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who promotes Ennis.
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Jaron Ennis targets unifications with Mario Barrios or Eimantas Stanionis
‘Boots’ has come under heavy criticism since ruling himself out of a potential clash with Vergil Ortiz Jr, who will now face Israil Madrimov on February 22.
But while the likes of Oscar De La Hoya have accused him of ducking the Ortiz, the Philadelphian insists that his ambition is not to move up to 154 lbs just yet.
Rather, Ennis’ ultimate goal is to become the undisputed welterweight king, meaning he must topple the three remaining champions in his division.
Hearn, his promoter, has equally insisted that WBC titlist Mario Barrios and WBA belt holder Eimantas Stanionis would take top priority over a possible showdown with Lopez.
And so, despite ‘The Takeover’ representing a far more lucrative option, it would appear that Ennis remains determined to follow in the footsteps of Terence Crawford, the last bona fide king at 147 lbs.
“He really needs a big fight, and he wants that big fight to be a unification,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV.
“For me, I love the [Lopez] fight. But for him, it’s not really [about] the money – he wants to unify the division.
“We’re negotiating with Stanionis; we’re negotiating with Barrios. [WBO champion Brian Norman Jr] won’t take the fight – he wants a warm-up fight first.”
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Should Jaron Ennis be fighting Teofimo Lopez or Vergil Ortiz Jr?
Of course, Ennis should be commended for aiming to become the undisputed champion of his division, a feat that only few fighters have achieved.
But still, in contrast to previous eras, his weight class is no longer regarded as the glamor division of boxing.
Ortiz and Lopez, meanwhile, are two opponents who could easily define the American’s legacy, regardless of what belts are on the line.
But instead of chasing the biggest names, It appears as though Ennis remains enamoured with the prestige that comes with championship glory.