Jaron Boots Ennis has raised some eyebrows with his bold declaration that he wants to become the undisputed champion across four different weight classes. While it's clear that Ennis has big goals, fans and critics alike are finding his ambitions hard to believe. Many think it's unrealistic for the current IBF welterweight champion to unify the belts at 147 lbs, let alone move up to claim titles in divisions as stacked as 154, 160, and 168.
Ennis, who turns 28 soon, has yet to secure a unification fight, and the road to becoming undisputed at welterweight seems cluttered with obstacles. Fans argue that Ennis should focus on getting big fights now instead of dreaming of multiple division dominance. His journey at 147 pounds alone is proving difficult due to promotional issues and the steep financial demands of the other champions in the division.
One of the main hurdles in Ennis' path is the lack of cooperation between promoters. Eddie Hearn, who handles Ennis, would need to work with other major promoters like Top Rank and PBC to set up unification bouts. But even then, getting those fights isn't guaranteed. The other champions reportedly want high paydays, and Hearn has already turned down an offer to pay $2.2 million to WBO champion Brian Norman Jr.
In addition, Ennis is struggling with the kind of widespread appeal needed to draw the biggest names in the sport. Unlike some of the past greats, such as Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, Ennis hasn't built up a pay-per-view-worthy following yet. He also lacks the media presence and charisma that could help boost his profile outside the ring, which could have made him a more attractive opponent for such big bouts.
While Ennis' ambition is commendable, the road ahead looks tough. Becoming undisputed in even one division is an enormous challenge, and claiming that crown across multiple weight classes may be an overreach at this stage. But, what do you think about it?
"Boots" also got gloves! Read more here.
Image Credit: PBC