Jaron “Boots” Ennis is making waves in the boxing world with his clear intention to take on Terence Crawford, either in the welterweight or super welterweight division. Ennis, the newly crowned IBF welterweight champion, expressed his readiness to face Crawford, critiquing Crawford's choice to fight David Avanesyan instead of him. This decision by Crawford to face Avanesyan, a lesser-known fighter who had previously been knocked out by Egidijus Kavaliauskas, raises questions about his choice of opponents and seemingly deliberate avoidance of more formidable challengers like Ennis.

Ennis’s frustration stems from Crawford’s decision to bypass a potential fight with him, picking a lower-ranked fighter in Avanesyan. This move by Crawford is seen as a strategic choice to avoid the risk posed by a young, powerful phenom like Ennis. Crawford's victory over Avanesyan came across as a safe bet rather than a sporting challenge, leading to speculation about his willingness to engage with top-tier talent.

The situation is made more intriguing by Ennis’ willingness to take on Crawford in early 2024, assuming Crawford doesn’t opt for a rematch with Errol Spence Jr. Ennis’ openness to fighting at 147 or 154 pounds shows his flexibility and eagerness for a significant match-up. The possibility of Crawford choosing to fight a potentially less threatening opponent like Jermell Charlo instead of facing Ennis adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Ennis accuses the boxing community of exaggerating potential negotiations between him and Crawford, emphasizing that no formal contract was ever presented. This accusation adds to the perception of avoidance tactics being employed by Crawford's camp. Ennis’ desire for a fight with Crawford is clear, and he seems prepared to wait for his opportunity, whether it's directly next or after a potential Crawford-Spence rematch.

Ennis’ challenge to Crawford puts the latter in a position where his choice of next opponent will be heavily scrutinized. A fight with Ennis represents not just a test of skill but also a testament to Crawford’s willingness to face the best in the division. For Ennis, a match with Crawford could be a career-defining opportunity to prove himself against one of the top names in boxing.

Image Credit: Showtime