Are We Getting Jaron Ennis vs Brian Norman Jr Or Not?
Over the past several weeks, it’s been clear that WBO welterweight champion Brian “The Assassin II” Norman Jr (26-0, 20 KO’s) has been on the warpath looking for a big fight. One name in particular that he and his team have been fiercely calling out is IBF 147-pound champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 KO’s). Despite their efforts, and Ennis not having an opponent or dance date on the books, the pursuit has so far remained fruitless. For this reason, Norman Jr. is starting to believe that Boots is not quite as confident in his skillset as he has been professing to the world.
To support this belief, Team Norman has heard interviews where both Ennis and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, said that he turned down a potential fight. Hearn, in a Q&A with Matchroom Boxing, went so far as to say he’s turned down two offers.
“We’ve made offers to Brian Norman – WBO champion, [Mario] Barrios -WBC champion, and Stanionis – WBA champion; All have been rejected. The one that I think has legs, and I saw him and his father come out in the last 24 hours, was Brian Norman, the WBO champion. We’ve made Top Rank two offers for Brian Norman. Both have been rejected in a pleasant fashion.”
WHAT’S NOT CLEAR NOW?!
Naturally, this was a notion that The Assassin II did not take kindly to. Therefore, during a recent call in to ThaBoxingVoice, The Assassin II aired out his thoughts and grievances for the world to hear.
“Somebody lying to somebody because we accepted that fight, we still accepting that fight and he already know about us! We ain’t scared of nothing and I don’t like all y’all other folks out here trying to be scary and saying I ain’t going to take that fight or anything like that! I am afraid to lose my O like everybody else, but you want to know what I do with mine? I train hard, so I know for a fact ain’t nobody beating me, I ain’t losing shit over here!”
“I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but I didn’t like the way that he said we declined the fight, first of all. The fact that he said it, and the way that he said it, I ain’t like none of that. But somebody could be lying to him and saying that. But either way it go, I just didn’t like the way that he was saying that.”
Over the past couple of years, Boots has been a rising force in the welterweight division. When his name truly began ringing with regularity, he was gunning for then 147-pound top dogs Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. Since Crawford and Spence fought one another in a thrilling duel, both have moved on to greener pastures at super welterweight. With this being the case, Ennis has yet to face a proper marque name that would finally validate his claim as being the best in the division the way that he wants.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
So, if this is merely a case of miscommunication, or even a willing and purposeful deceit on someone’s part, let’s hope that it is quickly rectified. Provided that the two young guns mix it up in the ring, it will be a clash of young lions and a significant unification bout as well. Without question, this would be a solid victory for whoever walked away after getting their hand raised on fight night.
True enough, at this point, Norman Jr. is not exactly a household name, especially among casuals. But, he still is a tough test and a budding rival. So, once again, since neither appear to have another dance partner lined up, let’s hope that Boots and The Assassin II collide in a late year showdown!
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