Jaron "Boots" Ennis faces a crucial decision in his career: whether to remain at 147 pounds and pursue his dream of becoming the undisputed welterweight champion, or move up to 154 pounds, where he could face more popular but riskier opponents. Although the super welterweight division offers greater challenges, Ennis must be wary of encountering similar obstacles in getting the big fights that have eluded him at welterweight.
One of the major challenges Ennis faces is his promoter, Eddie Hearn’s reluctance to invest in his career. Hearn has already shown hesitation by failing to secure high-profile matchups for Ennis at welterweight. The U.S. boxing landscape is different from the UK, where Hearn successfully built Anthony Joshua into a star by matching him with lower-level opponents. In the U.S., fans demand quality matchups, and Hearn's approach of grooming stars without real competition doesn’t work as well.
Hearn’s unwillingness to increase the $1.7 million offer to WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. is a prime example. Had Hearn raised the offer to $2.2 million, Ennis could have landed a significant fight to boost his career. Instead, the fight fell through, with some suggesting that Ennis should have contributed his own money to seal the deal. However, critics argue that Ennis shouldn’t have to dip into his own pockets when he’s signed with a promoter like Hearn, who was supposed to turn him into a star.
Hearn’s poor negotiating track record doesn’t stop there. He also failed to secure a fight with WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis, and recently lost a purse bid for Ennis’ IBF mandatory defense against Karen Chukhadzhian. These repeated failures raise questions about whether Hearn is truly committed to advancing Ennis’ career.
With these issues in mind, some have suggested that Ennis should consider parting ways with Hearn. A recent report indicated that Hearn made a six-figure offer to 154-pound contender Charles Conwell for a fight with Ennis, but the fight may not happen due to concerns about compensation. If Ennis moves up to 154 pounds, he will face harder punchers and potentially more dangerous opponents, making it crucial for him to make the right choice at this critical juncture in his career.
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