Former Showtime Sports activities head Stephen Espinoza refuses to fault Jaron “Boot” Ennis for his lack of ability to strike a deal to battle Vergil Ortiz Jnr subsequent yr.
The proposed battle between Ennis and Ortiz, which had been focused for February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fell by after each camps did not conform to a deal.
However because the battle was introduced to have fallen by, many boxing lovers have criticized Ennis for ducking Ortiz, an allegation Espinoza refuted.
“We speak about narratives within the sport of boxing, and the reactions that I’ve seen are insane,” Espinoza informed Struggle Hype TV on the sidelines of Tuesday’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis-Lamont Roach press convention in Brooklyn, New York.
“Boots do not duck anyone. He by no means has and by no means will. Bozy [Ennis’ father and trainer], that is not the type of fighter that he trains. It isn’t the type of son that he raised. There’s not an oz. of hesitation in Boots, in combating Ortiz, [Terence] Crawford or anyone at 147 and 154.”
In alternative, former 154-pound titleholder Israil Madrimov has been lined as much as tackle Ortiz on the Riyadh card. Ennis, however, has but to determine which course to go subsequent, having said that he could be prepared to take up a unification bout at 147.
Philadelphia’s Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs), has fought twice beneath Matchroom Boxing after signing a multi-fight promotional cope with Eddie Hearn’s outfit eight months in the past. Ennis had been the toast of promotional outfits, with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) chasing his signature earlier than he opted to hitch Matchroom Boxing.
Nevertheless, Ennis has struggled to land the highest fights at 147 and 154 since becoming a member of Matchroom, as an alternative combating David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian as a comfort. In keeping with Espinoza, Ennis wants a career-defining battle as quickly as attainable.
“I perceive why he went elsewhere,” Espinoza mentioned. “I am certain he isn’t trying again and saying ‘would’ve, might’ve, ought to’ve,’ and I am not going to say that both. I believe he had up-front phrases in his mouth, however studying the state of affairs, I believe he was involved about what the way forward for PBC could be and their means to maintain him busy, and I believe that is why he appeared elsewhere.
“However there is a tradeoff for that. I believe trying ahead to his profession, it’s essential that he will get that large battle as quickly as attainable – and whether or not it is at 147 or 154.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports activities journalist with a specialty in boxing protection. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He could be reached on X (previously Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and thru e-mail at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.
