Jaron Ennis OK with return of Manny Pacquiao – if he stays out of his way

IBF welterweight titleholder Jaron Ennis has warned Manny Pacquiao to stay out of his way ahead of the former champion’s return to the sport.

Pacquiao is rumored to be coming back, at the age of 43, to fight current WBC titleholder Mario Barrios. Pacquiao hasn’t fought since losing his title to Yordenis Ugas back in 2021, but he would be heading into his first contest back straight at world level. The decision by the WBC to allow Pacquiao to compete for its belt has been hit by criticism by many, and now Ennis is having his say.

Ennis recently put in a dominant performance against challenger David Avanesyan, in which his corner pulled their man out after five rounds due to damage to the Avanesyan’s face. Ennis then revealed plans after the contest to unify the division, and named Terence Crawford as his opponent of choice. Ennis is unsure how Pacquiao has been given a shot at a belt, but he insists he is unfazed – as long as the boxing great stays out of his path of becoming undisputed champion.

“I don’t know how Pacquiao is coming back and getting a world title shot,” Ennis told Fight Hub TV. “But I really don’t care, as long as I can get my hands on all the other belts and be able to unify, then become undisputed. Then I really don’t care what’s going on. I think it’s crazy that he’s coming back. I mean, it’s a good name to have on your resume. As long as he isn’t in my way. If he gets the belt, he gets the belt – I really don’t care.”