Promoter Eddie Hearn was frustrated after failing to secure a unification fight between IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. Despite offering a $1.5 million purse, which Hearn described as a “fortune,” Norman Jr.’s team rejected the deal, leaving Hearn questioning their decision. Hearn believes that Norman, at 23 years old, may never see such a payout again in his career, and he's baffled that the offer was turned down.
Hearn’s discontent stems from his belief that this fight is crucial for Ennis to elevate his career to the next level. By not agreeing to Norman Jr.’s demands, which were reportedly close to $2 million, Hearn may have missed a key opportunity to propel Ennis into the spotlight. Hearn views the fight as an investment, one that could significantly boost Ennis’ popularity and career trajectory, but his reluctance to increase the offer may have cost him that chance.
With the Norman fight now off the table, Ennis is set to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian on November 9th in Philadelphia. However, Hearn acknowledges that this matchup won’t do much for Ennis’ popularity, as it lacks the excitement that a bout with Norman could have generated.
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Hearn’s disappointment also highlights his struggles in negotiating with other champions in the welterweight division. His inability to secure deals with Norman Jr., Eimantas Stanionis, and Mario Barrios shows that Hearn might be too focused on short-term profits rather than the long-term benefits that could come from unifying titles. His frustration was evident as he criticized the champions for not taking the offers, claiming they are avoiding fights they believe they can’t win.
Read more about Boots’ career here.
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