There isn't anything major going on this week in terms of fights,(although there are cards on DAZN and ESPN this Saturday) but there was some significant news announced on Wednesday. IBF welterweight champion, Jaron Ennis, has agreed to a multi-fight agreement with Matchroom Boxing.
Make no doubt about it, this is a significant acquisition for Eddie Hearn and his company. Now with 'Boots' and 'Bam' (Jesse Rodriguez), Matchroom has two elite talents to anchor their stateside roster.
At age 26, Ennis (31-0 28 KOs), is now just entering his physical prime. He is considered one of the elite young talents in the game. Not only does he possess an entertaining and fan-friendly style, Ennis is a personable sort.
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"Wow -- what a signing," said an effusive, Hearn. ''I've watched this young man for many years, and I always believed he would become a pound-for-pound great, and I have no doubt he is already the greatest fighter in the division. To win the race to sign Jaron is a massive coup for Matchroom Boxing and DAZN."
For the past several years the talented switch-hitter has been fighting on PBC cards that were broadcast on Showtime. But as that network shuttered its boxing franchise, Ennis' future was a bit uncertain. As PBC moved into a deal with Prime Video, there was talk of him appearing on the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Jaime Munguia, and Gervonta Davis' upcoming summer card, but nothing ever materialized.
Now the duty of making Ennis a household name falls on Hearns' shoulders but can they create an American star? It's one thing to guide one to being a belt-holder as they did with Raymond Ford, can they build a true attraction?
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Hearn says, "Jaron has everything needed to become a household name both in the sport and in the sporting hotbed of his Philadelphia hometown, where we are committed to building him. Fight fans can get excited for his return in the summer as he looks to hunt down the biggest fights that will elevate him to the pound-for-pound list."
Matchroom has to make up for some lost time since Ennis has not fought since last July, when he dismantled the rugged Roiman Villa.
Jaron Ennis Knocks Out Villa In Impressive Fashion | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
A few weeks later, Terence Crawford would thrash Errol Spence in their long-awaited undisputed showdown. As that rematch clause went unfulfilled, Crawford would begin to either vacate or get stripped of those belts and will now campaign as a junior middleweight. During this period of time, Ennis was elevated to being the IBF welterweight champion (which brought about the familiar chorus of him being the latest 'email champion' in boxing).
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A showdown versus Conor Benn seems inevitable given that they are now both under the same promotional banner. Also, in Matchroom, he is with an outfit that has no problems doing business in Saudi Arabia, and arranging lucrative paydays in that region of the world. Regardless, it's time for these 'Boots' to step into the ring. It shouldn't be out of the question for him to perform in the summer, and then later in the fall.
Hey, activity matters.
''Holding the IBF title in one of boxing's glamour divisions places Jaron front and center for some of the biggest fights out there in the sport, and we plan to deliver them for him," promised Hearn.
Currently, Ennis is rated second at 147 by Ring Magazine. Their champion is the aforementioned, Crawford, followed by Spence, who also seems to have plans of moving up. For all intents and purposes, he is the best remaining welterweight on the planet.
The questions remain if this new union can work through the usual boxing politics to schedule the fights he really wants. But now that he's situated, it's time for him to get back to work.
"I'm excited for this partnership with Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and DAZN," said Ennis. "I can't wait to continue making my mark and becoming the undisputed world champion. I've been out of the ring for a year, and I cannot wait to get back in and do what I do best; entertain the fans and put on clinics.
"There are blockbuster fights on the horizon for me, and I'm ready to deliver them."
FINAL FLURRIES
DAZN has coverage of Jordan Gill-Zelfa Barrett from Manchester, England on Saturday afternoon... Then later that night on ESPN, heavyweight Jared Anderson faces Ryan Merhy...On the undercard from Corpus Christi, Texas, is blue-chip prospect, Abdullah 'the Young Butcher' Mason....Great to have our shorts and sandals weather back in Southern California...I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
