The highly anticipated IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis will be facing Cody Crowley in a match scheduled for July 13th. However, the excitement surrounding this match-up seems to be lacking among fans, who were hoping for a more challenging opponent for Ennis. With a record of 31-0 and 28 KOs, Ennis is considered the #1 fighter in the 147-lb division after signing with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
Crowley, a 31-year-old Canadian with an undefeated record of 22-0 and 9 KOs, has not faced any notable opponents in his ten-year professional career. While Canadian fans may be supportive of Crowley getting a title shot against Ennis, it is clear that he has not earned this opportunity by defeating top-level competition. This lackluster match-up may not attract much interest from boxing fans.
It is concerning that Ennis, a promising young talent, is being matched up against fighters like Crowley, who have not proven themselves in the ring. The plan for Ennis to fight Crowley and then take on other welterweight champions to become undisputed raises doubts about the level of competition he will face in the coming years. The reluctance of top fighters like Crawford to face Ennis also raises questions about his career trajectory.
Instead of focusing on becoming undisputed at 147, Ennis may benefit from moving up to the 154-lb division where more recognized champions reside. Fighting lesser-known champions at welterweight may not significantly increase Ennis’ reputation or earnings. It might be more worthwhile for Ennis to challenge himself against the best fighters at 147, 154, or even 160, rather than wasting time on potentially unexciting match-ups in a stagnant division.
The match-up between Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Cody Crowley may not live up to fans’ expectations, and it raises concerns about the direction of Ennis’ career. Moving forward, Ennis should carefully consider his opponents and weight class choices to ensure that he maximizes his potential and secures challenging and exciting fights in the future.