So what if he showed some defensive vulnerability? That may just be the Philly toughness that resides within Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
The greatest takeaway from Ennis’ first IBF welterweight title defense, a fifth-round stoppage of Russia’s David Avanesyan on Saturday night, is what a pure talent he is.
“As far as excitement goes … as far as his combinations, stamina, the athleticism, everything … the kid is brilliant, man. Let’s give him his flowers,” Hall of Fame former two-division champion Timothy Bradley Jr. said on Monday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “Deep Waters.”
“Everyone’s criticizing his performance because he got hit a whole helluva lot. When you’re out of the ring so long because nobody wants to fight you, that’s what’s going to happen: You’re going to get a little rusty.”
Bradley was in awe of how the 27-year-old Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) switched power-punching hands “seamlessly” and didn’t fear Avanesyan’s power.
“The reason no one wants to face the young ‘Boots’ Ennis is because they see what I see,” Bradley said. “He is a problem for anyone in the division. It’s why everyone continues to run from him.”
Fellow “Deep Waters” analyst Chris Algieri said that to boost his brand name, hard-core fan favorite Ennis should seek to unify the glamor welterweight division – which currently counts Mario Barrios Jr., Eimantas Stanionis and Brian Norman Jr. as full or interim champions – and remain active and on-call for any of the talented 154-pound champions and contenders.
“He needs to be busy. The world needs to know who Jaron Ennis is – not just us, not just the die-hards,” Algieri said. “As he collects these belts, he’s going to become a household name. He’s very exciting and he hasn’t fought anyone who worries him.”
While analyst Paulie Malignaggi cautioned Ennis to avoid being so open to punches against someone like Stanionis, Bradley said he’s disappointed we’re not seeing Ennis versus recently undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford, who has moved on to pursue a fourth division belt at junior middleweight.
Following the bout, Saudi Arabia’s boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh posted on “X” that he wants to see Crawford-Ennis “soon.”
“I guess [Team Crawford] didn’t want to negotiate with ‘Boots.’ ‘Boots’ has been after Crawford for some time now. He wants all that smoke,” said Bradley, a longtime friend of Crawford’s.
Despite that bond, Bradley said he felt obligated to liken Crawford’s rejection of Ennis to Canelo Alvarez’s dismissal of David Benavidez.
“It seems like Crawford is being just like [former three-belt welterweight champion Errol] Spence was to him: You’re hearing the same excuses from the Crawford team,” Bradley said. “Is he ready for Crawford? Yes, he’s ready right now for Terence Crawford. Athletic, long, big, can switch to southpaw. The only thing that’s different is how to control the fight. Crawford’s the best at that.
“‘Boots’ takes a lot more risks and punches harder.”
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