Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis intends to proceed cautiously when moving from the welterweight to the junior middleweight division. He will take his time adjusting to the new weight category prior to a potential fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. This week, the WBO positioned ‘Boots’ Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) at the #4 ranking in the 154-pound weight class.
The pugilists competing at 154 pounds generally pack a greater punch and demonstrate a higher skill level than those Ennis has encountered throughout his nine-year professional journey. Therefore, it is prudent for him to acclimatize gradually before challenging any of the division’s elite competitors.
Ennis’s Primary Challenges at 154 lbs
– Vergil Ortiz Jr.
– Sebastian Fundora
– Terence Crawford: *contingent upon a return to 154
– Israil Madrimov
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
Observing how effectively Boots manages the power of his opponents in the junior middleweight division will be telling. Ennis has shown a susceptibility to being hit, which could prove problematic if he doesn’t improve his defensive capabilities.
Ennis’ striking power will also require evaluation. When Terence Crawford ascended in weight from 147 to 154 recently, his punches lacked their previous impact. A similar outcome could befall Boots.
Whether the scheduled warm-up fights will ultimately benefit Jaron remains to be seen. If he struggles with the elevated power and overall skill level within this division, his progress will be limited. During his time at 147, he was a dominant force in a relatively shallow pool of talent.
Boots’ Prospects Against Elite 154-Pound Fighters
Following Terence Crawford’s departure, the welterweight division lacked significant competition. Ennis briefly flourished as the top contender before eventually outgrowing the weight class. Now, Boots faces a different scenario. There are other fighters who possess comparable or superior skills. Consequently, the value of those tune-up matches could be diminished.
This favorable ranking will ease Ennis’ path when he seeks a chance to compete for a world championship. If Xander Zayas, promoted by Top Rank, wins the vacant WBO 154-pound title in his match against Jorge Garcia Perez this Saturday, a fight with Ennis is unlikely unless mandated.
