Team Ennis Claims They Declined BLK Prime Offer Over Loyalty to Showtime
Bozy Ennis is the father and trainer of reigning IBF Interim welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs). A favorite among the hardcore sect, Boots has become a valued property. Many observers view the 25-year-old as a future star. But according to his father, loyalty is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to their relationship with SHOWTIME. But is their loyalty coming at a cost?
A SURPRISING DISCOVERY
Terence Crawford is the WBO welterweight champion. On February 27, Crawford was ordered by the sanctioning body to face number one contender Alex Rocha. During an interview on the Stamina For Sale podcast, Bozy said that BLK Prime approached him about proposing a matchup between his son and Bud, but things quickly went nowhere.
According to Bozy, BLK Prime wanted to make the fight without any input from SHOWTIME and that was a non-starter. He explained his rationale and made the following revelation in the process:
“We was trying to set up a fight with him (Terence Crawford) last month, because BLK people called us . . . They said, ‘let’s sit down and talk’. I said, ‘oh, you gotta talk to my people first though – SHOWTIME.
I’m loyal to SHOWTIME. I’m going to tell y’all, I never signed nothing with SHOWTIME. My word is my bond. Three-fight deal – and whatever we say, we do it. You know a lot of people want Boots. From DAZN to Top Rank, all of them wanted Boots.
But when I tell somebody something, I’m loyal to them. They treat me good. When somebody treats me good, I’m going to treat them good. They fair with me, I’m fair with them, with no signing, no contract. My word is my bond . . . These people treat me and Boots real good.”
PLENTY TO UNPACK
As a point of clarification for those who may find a contradiction in Bozy’s comments, Boots did sign a three-fight deal with the network in March 2022. However, that deal does not tie him contractually with the PBC.
Additionally, there are questions about the validity of BLK Prime’s offer because their relationship with Crawford was on a one-fight basis, which resulted in Bud’s sixth-round stoppage over David Avanesyan in December 2022.
TAKING THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
But here’s the ultimate question: is Team Ennis limiting themselves with their devotion to SHOWTIME? Would it have made more sense if Ennis had signed a straight-on deal with PBC?
Fans have opined about their strategy on boxing message boards and social media. Some argue that Ennis is exercising a certain level of freedom by not being tied to a promoter of record. Others wonder if Showtime reciprocates that loyalty down the road and argue Ennis needs a promoter for long-term security.
Hall of Famer Roy Jones went his entire career not signing a long-term deal with a promoter, opting instead for a series of multi-year deals with HBO. Team Ennis is attempting a similar strategy with SHOWTIME. How this plays out for Ennis as he continues his career will be a topic of discussion for boxing enthusiasts for years to come.
