Former WBC Welterweight Champion Shawn Porter has described Jaron “Boots” Ennis as the closes thing to Roy Jones Jr. Akin “Ak” Reyes and Barak Bess of DAZN have characterized him as one of the five fighters to watch in 2023. Many others have simply called him the future of boxing. While the accolades from fans continue to pile up, the Philadelphia native has sights set on something more tangible — a world title.
On Saturday, Jaron “Boots” Ennis will put his undefeated record on the line against Karen Chukhadzhian. If he emerges victorious, he will not only improve his stock within boxing fandom, but he will also pick up the IBF Interim Welterweight Championship. By doing so, he will become the mandatory challenger for IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr.
It is unclear if Spence Jr. would give Ennis an opportunity to compete for the title or pursue an undisputed title fight with fellow titlist Terence Crawford once more. After standing by throughout 2022 and waiting for a Crawford-Spence Jr. bout to take shape, Ennis has made it clear that he is done waiting.
“I know Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford are holding up the division right now, but whatever way I can get my hands on the belts, I’ll be ready,” Ennis said on Wednesday, per Bad Left Hook.
“I just want to fight. I’m young, hungry and I’m going to keep shining and demolishing these guys they put in front of me. Getting knockouts gives the fans what they want and makes them keep gravitating toward me. As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, my fan base is just going to grow.”
Before Ennis can think about a showdown with Spence Jr. or Crawford, he must get by Karen Chukhadzhian. The welterweight showdown is set for January 7, 2023 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
