IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis appears destined for a long reign as champion at both 147lbs and likely higher divisions in the future, and could be set to kickstart the world champion phase of his career by fighting on the Canelo Alvarez undercard in May.
Ennis is currently undefeated in his 31 fights to date, securing an impressive 28 of those wins by knockout. Back in November, Terence Crawford was stripped of his IBF belt for failing to face mandatory challenger ‘Boots’, who was upgraded to full champion as a result.
Meanwhile, Canelo recently announced that he would be returning to the ring on May 4th on his annual Cinco De Mayo show in Mexico where he will fight an American, likely being Jermall Charlo, although Charlo has denied that any talks have taken place.
Now, the IBF has once again ordered a bout for their welterweight title, with Ennis now being the champion rather than the mandatory challenger, with Canada’s Cody Crowley being called upon for the opposing corner.
Esteemed boxing journalist Chris Mannix has since reported that the clash is being targeted for the Canelo card, where Ennis could be able to announce himself to the wider boxing public, on what is assumably a high-profile pay-per-view card.
“Plans are, I’m told, to have Ennis-Crowley on the undercard of the next Canelo fight, if there is a next Canelo/PBC fight. Ennis preferred a fight against Mario Barrios, but this IBF ruling supersedes a voluntary defence.”
Ennis will certainly be glad to return to the ring, after what will be a ten-month spell of inactivity following frustrations that led to the hard-hitting 147lber filing a lawsuit against his promoters, for failing to deliver him enough fights in recent years.