Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis produced an uncharacteristically flat performance last night in Philadelphia, retaining his IBF world welterweight title after outpointing mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian.
The 27-year-old is known for his flashy combinations and slick defensive maneuvers, but ultimately failed to captivate his home crowd in what became a much tougher rematch than expected.
In their first encounter last year, Jaron Ennis secured a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over a somewhat passive Chukhadzhian.
However, after flooring his opponent in the fifth round of last night’s battle, the American was clipped several times before laboring to a second win on points.
- Read More [Everything you need to know about Jaron Ennis, the welterweight champion looking to defend his IBF belt]
Eddie Hearn explains why Jaron Ennis should move up to super welterweight
In the wake of his 33rd professional victory, several notable fighters, including social media sensation Ryan Garcia, have called out Boots.
Garcia, though, is forced to serve a backdated ban until April 20 next year after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in his controversial clash with Devin Haney.
But regardless, the 26-year-old’s potential fight with Ennis is unlikely to take place following Eddie Hearn’s latest comments.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter has, instead, hinted at the possibility of his rising star moving up to super welterweight, suggesting that the extra weight would restore his explosive punch power.
One opponent that has already been mooted is Vergil Ortiz Jr, with Golden Boy boss Oscar De La Hoya, too, expressing an interest in the potential, mouthwatering matchup against Ennis.
“I thought it was a mediocre performance from Boots [against Chukhadzhian],” Hearn told The Stomping Ground.
“It could be time to move to [154 lbs]. He did struggle a bit this week on the weight. It just looked like the zip [in his punches] weren’t quite there, and I think you’ll see that up at 154 lbs.”
Terence Crawford is a more likely opponent for Jaron Ennis than Ryan Garcia
Following Boots’ defense of his IBF trinket, two-division undisputed champion Terence Crawford sent his countryman a message on social media.
The pound-for-pound star warned Ennis to ‘never get too comfortable,’ and that ‘all it takes is [one] slip up.’
Nevertheless, Crawford has always represented a dream opponent for the talented American, with the four-division champ claiming the WBA super welterweight strap earlier this year.
And so, with Boots potentially looking to move up in weight, it would seem that his most lucrative options are either Ortiz Jr or Crawford.