Shawn Porter has high praise for an undefeated American fighter who’s knocking on the door of a title shot, comparing his latest performance to that of Roy Jones Jr.
Jones is a four-division world champion, has fought professionally 76 times and is the only man to kick off his campaign at super welterweight before going on to win a heavyweight title.
Arguably the best boxer of the last twenty years, ‘RJJ’ combined incredible speed with wicked power and an unrivalled confidence to dominate plenty of top fighters during his various reigns.
With the above in mind, a comparison is an honour for any young fighter – and Shawn Porter has granted such a privilege to Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Speaking on his podcast, the former world champion compared the 26-year-old welterweight’s most recent fight to a Jones performance.
“For me, and y’all know I ain’t no boxing historian, but the last time I seen a performance like what we seen from Boots last night was a Roy Jones type fight. That looked like Roy Jones all day and all night.”
‘Boots’ battered hard-hitting Roiman Villa for ten rounds before handing him his first knockdown and stoppage loss. His speed and spite were shown in what would become the 28th KO of his 31 fight career.
He was so comfortable in against Villa that he managed some showboating – something Jones was also keen on from time to time. Many fighters are, but what the pair have in common beyond is that they have the skills to back it up.
Ennis’ stoppage victory reignites the hype surrounding him, and he’s fast becoming the threat to the throne he’s always promised to be. Whether or not he gets a shot at the titles as they’re currently held remains to be seen.
Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford control all four welterweight belts between them, and whilst their fight with a rematch clause for the loser is a treat for fans, it’s a frustration for top contenders like Ennis.
If Spence and Crawford end up vacating the belts and moving up in weight – something many believe will happen – there’s little doubt Ennis will be first in line to fight for a vacant belt.