Eddie Hearn Compares Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to Legends

Jaron Ennis’ (36-0, 32 KOs) team is currently targeting IBF titleholder Josh Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs) next, followed by WBC champion Sebastian Fundora (24-1-1, 15 KOs). With two high-octane fights being planned, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has one thing to say: Ennis is certainly sitting on the shoulders of giants.

Talking on the Punch Podcast, Hearn did not hesitate even one bit while comparing Ennis to major names in the sport.

“Jaron Ennis, I’ve said it for a while now, I think that you are looking at the pound-for-pound number one in the sport. I think that he is (Terence) Crawford, I think that he is(Sugar Ray) Leonard, I think that he is (Thomas) Hearns, I think that he is that level, Pernell Whitaker, I think he is that good,” he said.

It can be said Hearn was essentially invoking the golden era of welterweight boxing to explain what he thinks ‘Boots’ can become. Hearns and Leonard weren’t just great fighters; they represented two contrasting forms of elite boxing. Hearns had extraordinary size for the division and a frightening finishing ability, while Leonard had speed, athleticism, adaptability, combination punching and the charisma to become a genuine superstar.

Their legendary rivalry produced exactly the kind of high-level fights that defined an era. Hearn sees Ennis as potentially having elements of both, the physical dimensions and explosiveness reminiscent of Hearns, combined with the versatility and ability to fight at different ranges associated with Leonard.

“The performance against Xander (Zayas) was unbelievable, the way that he come in. It’s the way that he fights; people criticize ‘Boots’ sometimes because he gets hit a lot, he chooses to fight like that,” he said. “If you want, he can make it boring and box you for 12 rounds, but it’s not what he does, and that is why he is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet.”

“Be Undisputed”

While Hearn isn’t ruling out a fight with Vergil Ortiz, he revealed that Ennis currently has one goal.

“Boots is about legacy and belts. Listen, I like the Vergil Ortiz fight; I don’t want to rule that out either, by the way, but previously we didn’t have a belt, and that fight was no belts, but we couldn’t get the champions,” he said. “I think that the Ortiz fight is a wonderful fight and I think that we have to try and get that made, but certainly his focus, right now, is to try and be undisputed.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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