Ennis Joins Matchroom When Undisputed Could Align With PBC
Reigning IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) wants to take his career to the next level. Ennis believes he’s on the path towards that goal with his recent signing with Matchroom Promotions. But was that the best course of action at this point in his career?
WHY SIGN WITH MATCHROOM?
On April 10, the promotional giant announced the signing of the IBF champion. Company chairman Eddie Hearn has shown a great interest in Ennis for several months. During an exclusive interview with Matchroom Boxing, Ennis explained inking a deal with Matchroom.
“I’m excited, very excited. I can’t wait to continue to put on beautiful performances. Let’s do it . . . I feel like this is the best move of my career, thus far. I can’t wait to see what’s in store.”
Ennis also mentioned Matchroom’s ability to work with other promoters and their commitment to keep him active were two reasons he signed with them. Boots has been out of the ring since a tenth-round knockout over Roiman Villa in July 2023. In November 2023, the IBF elevated Ennis from Interim to their full-time welterweight champion.
Now that he’s officially under the Matchroom umbrella, Boots believes the sky is the limit. But the first thing on his agenda is to become the king of the welterweight division.
“What I’m excited about is collecting all the belts; the WBC, WBA, the WBO, and becoming undisputed. That’s what I’m excited about.”
HOW THINGS COULD BACKFIRE
The native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was seeking a fight with reigning unified welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford. But Bud has shown no serious interest in fighting Ennis. Crawford’s next fight will likely be at 154, which means he will eventually vacate or get stripped of the belts he currently owns at welterweight.
That would likely mean Mario Barrios could be elevated from reigning WBC interim to the full-time WBC welterweight champion. The WBA could elevate Eimantas Stanionis to their full-time champion at 147.
Before signing with Matchroom, Ennis had been fighting under the PBC banner, the same company that handles the careers of Barrios and Stanionis. Given that reality, some in the boxing community have already described Ennis’s new venture with Matchroom as odd, perplexing, and counterproductive.
Matchroom wants to make Ennis their future star. Boots wants to become one of the future faces of the sport. On the surface, it’s a more than sound pairing.
The IBF champion has the talent to beat anyone at 147. But given the present state of the welterweight division, it remains to be seen whether the new pairing between the Philadelphian and Matchroom will make all of their wishes a reality.
