The boxing world is in an uproar over Terence Crawford’s decision to avoid facing Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis after capturing the undisputed welterweight championship. Many fans and analysts, including Tim Bradley, are critical of Crawford’s move to challenge Israil Madrimov for his WBA junior middleweight title instead of taking on Ennis, who is seen as a younger, more powerful, and better fighter than Crawford. The avoidance of this potential clash has raised questions about Crawford’s willingness to face tough competition and has sparked debate about his legacy in the sport.
Business Over Legacy
Despite the excitement surrounding a potential matchup between Crawford and Ennis, Crawford’s decision to pursue a fight with Madrimov is viewed as a strategic move aimed at securing a mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez for his undisputed super middleweight championship. The financial implications of a fight with Canelo are significant, and it is believed that Crawford is prioritizing business interests over his boxing legacy by avoiding a risky bout with Ennis. This decision has disappointed fans who were eager to see Crawford test himself against a rising star in the welterweight division.
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has been vocal about his desire to face Crawford and prove himself as the best in the division. His reputation as a talented and aggressive fighter has made him a formidable opponent for Crawford, who may be wary of the risks associated with facing him in the ring. Ennis has the potential to expose Crawford’s weaknesses and hand him a defeat that could tarnish his record and reputation. As such, Crawford’s avoidance of Ennis is seen as a defensive move to protect his standing in the sport.
Tim Bradley has drawn parallels between Crawford’s avoidance of Ennis and Errol Spence’s treatment of Crawford earlier in their careers. Just as Spence challenged Crawford to prove himself by winning a belt before facing him, Crawford is now applying a similar standard to Ennis. This cycle of avoidance and challenge reflects the competitive nature of boxing and the strategic decisions that fighters make to advance their careers. While Crawford’s actions may be driven by a desire for financial gain and preservation of his legacy, they have raised questions about his willingness to take on tough opponents.
At 37 years old, Terence Crawford is nearing the end of his boxing career and faces increased scrutiny over his choice of opponents. The legacy he leaves behind will be defined by the caliber of fighters he faced and the challenges he overcame. By ducking a potential fight with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Crawford risks being viewed as a fighter who shied away from tough competition in favor of financial gain. Whether he can secure a fight with Canelo Alvarez and cement his legacy as an undisputed champion remains to be seen, but his avoidance of Ennis has cast a shadow over his reputation in the boxing world.
The controversy surrounding Terence Crawford’s avoidance of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has brought his decision-making and legacy into question. While Crawford’s pursuit of a mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez may be financially lucrative, it has come at the expense of facing tough competition in the welterweight division. Fans and analysts are disappointed by Crawford’s reluctance to take on Ennis and see it as a missed opportunity to test himself against a rising star in the sport. As Crawford’s career progresses, the decisions he makes and the opponents he faces will shape his legacy in the sport of boxing.