Jaron Ennis likely to benefit from a shift in IBF rankings
Top welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis (28-0, 26ko) will possibly be the IBF mandatory challenger for unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (27-0, 21ko) in the upcoming weeks.
The entire boxing community wants to see the mega-showdown between WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and Spence Jr. It is the biggest fight in boxing right now. With the WBO champion a free agent, now more than ever, fans are on edge to see what will happen. Furthermore, Crawford added more intrigue to the situation by publicly requesting the IBF to make him the mandatory challenger instead.
Well, boxing fans may need to pump the brakes as Ennis is in the perfect position to upset all plans. Viewed as an uncrowned champion and boogeyman, the Philadelphia knockout artist could be the beneficiary of IBF’s number one challenger Kudratillo Abdukakhorov’s upset defeat by unranked Cody Crowley.
SPEAK IT INTO EXISTENCE
The number two spot was held down by “Showtime” Shawn Porter, who recently retired. Ennis, at number three, could find himself as the mandatory challenger when the new rankings come out next month.
Given their history, the IBF is very strict about their mandatories. Also, it is highly doubtful Ennis will take a step-aside. He has been waiting for this moment for a long time and is hungry for a title shot.
“I want a top-three to top-five guy. That way, it would put me in line for a world title by the end of the year or beginning of 2022.”
Jaron Ennis
Well, he may see it happen as planned with the way things are beginning to shape up. Spence has not fought an IBF mandatory challenger since Carlos Ocampo back in 2018. So the unified champion is long overdue to be ordered to fight one.
However, Spence is only interested in fighting a champion and is not looking to take a tune-up. He has recovered from an eye injury that prevented him from fighting Filipino senator Manny Pacquiao. Equally important, no one should consider Ennis a tune-up in any conversation. All the boxing community can do is wait, as things get interesting going into 2022.
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By: Garrisson Bland
