Eddie Hearn says he’s “100%” positive that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis will beat Terence Crawford. The Matchroom promoter Hearn feels that the 27-year-old Boots Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) is “Too good, too young, and too fresh” for the former four-division world champion Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who returns 37 on September 28th, and is starting to show his age.
Crawford’s Reluctance
Hearn would like Ennis to beat Crawford before the Omaha, Nebraska native leaves the game, but he believes he’s one of those fighters who doesn’t want to allow a younger fighter to gain fame. Crawford is more interested in reaching above his pay grade to try and get a fight against Canelo Alvarez.
That’s the same thing. Canelo would be doing a less accomplished, non-PPV fighter a favor if he were to fight Crawford. Althougy Crawford has done a lot with his career, he’s not a PPV attraction and can only sell tickets in his hometown of Omaha.
It would be a good move for Crawford to fight Boots Ennis because if he can’t get the Canelo matchup, this is the best money fight for him. He would have at least a chance of winning. There would likely be more money for Crawford if he were willing to do something crazy like move up to 175 and take on David Benavidez or the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol winner, but he’s not insane. Crawford knows his limitations.
Crawford’s Priorities and Risk Aversion
“Crawford knows how dangerous that fight is. He knows how dangerous Boots is, and he knows it won’t pay the money the risk warrants just yet. Maybe in six to twelve months, that’s the mega-fight that he needs,” said Eddie Hearn to Fight Hub TV about Terence Crawford not wanting to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis due to the risk involved.
Crawford is protective of his unbeaten record, and he still thinks he’s got a chance to get a fight against Canelo. Fighting Boots Ennis would be a massive risk for Crawford because that’s the type of fight you take when you’re an active fighter, young, ambitious, and competing twice to three times a year. Crawford has been fighting just an annual since 2020.
“No, but if you lose to Canelo, you’re losing to a 168, all-time great. If you lose to Boots Ennis, sometimes these fighters feel like you’re giving them the opportunity,” said Hearn when asked if he feels Boots is a tougher fight for Crawford than Canelo.
Losing to Canelo provides Crawford with ready-made excuses. He would be losing to a great fighter bigger than him at 168. In contrast, getting beaten by Ennis would give none of those excuses. Ennis is the same size as Crawford, less accomplished, and not well-known to casual boxing fans.
“If Boots wins and Boots beats Crawford. 100%,” said Hearn when asked if Boots Ennis beats Crawford. “Too good, too young and too fresh [for Crawford]. Look at Madrimov. He had nine fights [when he won his world title]. They say inexperience.”
Crawford’s Age and Inactivity
At this point, Crawford is too old and inactive for too long to beat Boots Ennis. The 13 months that Crawford was out of the ring after his best career win over Errol Spence last year aged him badly, and he’s not the guy he was in past years. He even looks older.
“He had nine fights. It doesn’t matter [that Madrimov had 300 amateur fights]. I’m sure Boots had over 100 amateur fights as well, and he’s had 34 fights as a pro. He’s ready, but Crawford won’t fight him, and I don’t blame him,” said Hearn.
Experience doesn’t matter because Boots is hitting his prime, whereas Crawford is on the slide and different from what he was five to seven years ago.
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