Boots Ennis Looks to Put Tread Marks on Keith Thurman Next
When making your bones in the boxing world, many times it does not pay to be the humblest fighter around. It goes without saying that you want to win fights and look good, but this is only one piece of the puzzle. Outside of the ring, up and coming fighters frequently have to go the extra mile to generate the proper buzz for themselves. And this is precisely what red hot welterweight boxer Jaron “Boots” Ennis (28-0, 26 KO’s) is doing right now. In his next at-bat, Boots is slated to test his might against Custio Clayton on May 14.
The gritty Philly fighter has already long called for all the top names in the division including unified 147-pound champion Errol Spence Jr and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford. While Boots, 24, continues to gain fans and more notoriety daily, he is not at the point where he can demand or otherwise force a match with these champions. Given this reality, Ennis has taken aim at a much more obtainable bout against one-time welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (30-1, 22 KO’s).
“I’m not looking ahead, I’m locked in on [Custio] Clayton, but I feel like Keith Thurman will be next. If I am victorious and do my thing. I feel like that’d be a fight, a pay-per-view fight.”
CHANGE OF HEART?
It will be revealing to see how Thurman, ranked #3 (WBC), #3 (WBA) and #4 (WBO), responds to this refreshed call out. Boots, ranked #2 (WBO), #2 (WBA), #3 (IBF) and #4 (WBC), has long since expressed his desire to sock One Time in the face for financial compensation. When questioned whether he had a mutual interest in this dustup previously, Thurman has snubbed the idea up to this point. For Thurman, who’s only loss is to boxing living legend Manny Pacquiao, he is beyond dueling with boxers attempting to make their name in the sport. If given his way, Thurman, 33, would only face champions from here on out.
The trouble with this for One Time is the fact that the champions, Crawford and Spence, have shown remarkably little desire to lace up the gloves with the Floridian. Spence in particular has spoken at length about his dislike of Thurman. Taking this into account, it could turn out to be a very good look for the former champion if he was able to scalp the young gun before anyone else. Conversely, if Boots won, then he would be able to reaffirm his regular talking point that he is ready for the top talent now. So, let’s see how this all plays out.
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By: Bakari Simpson
