Still no scheduled fight for Jaron "Boots" Ennis yet?

[al-Xander]

Yeah, if no one calls out fighters who have no reason to stay on the shelf for long periods of time, who will?

What is he waiting for this time now that Spence is fighting Crawford and the IBF belt is on the line for the undisputed fight?

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Showtime/PBC have done a terrible job with Boots.

Not been active enough, not been matched well.

[kiaba360]

Showtime/PBC have done a terrible job with Boots.

Not been active enough, not been matched well.

I don't think the matchmaking has been that bad, but it feels like he's behind schedule. The inactivity is a much bigger problem. If he had his last four opponents (Lipinets, Dulorme, Clayton, Chukhadzhian) in a 12 month span, he'd be fine. However, the reality is that those fights occurred in almost 21 months. The only fighter he didn't destroy was Chukhadzhian. Lipinets, Dulorme, and Clayton were 9 rounds combined.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I don't think the matchmaking has been that bad, but it feels like he's behind schedule. The inactivity is a much bigger problem. If he had his last four opponents (Lipinets, Dulorme, Clayton, Chukhadzhian) in a 12 month span, he'd be fine. However, the reality is that those fights occurred in almost 21 months. The only fighter he didn't destroy was Chukhadzhian. Lipinets, Dulorme, and Clayton were 9 rounds combined.

The inactivity is the biggest problem.

I would like to see him matched a little tougher though, was glad to see Karen give him some rounds.

[kiaba360]

The inactivity is the biggest problem.

I would like to see him matched a little tougher though, was glad to see Karen give him some rounds.

I think the inactivity is one reason why he isn't further along in his development. His momentum is so stop-and-start, which means SHO can't build him into a star that the Thurmans and Spences of the world would actually need/want to fight. SHO/Ennis should be on the HBO-GGG formula, fighting 3-4 times a year and gradually building a following until he can no longer be ignored. In my theory, everyone would be yelling for Spence to fight Ennis or drop the belt.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I think the inactivity is one reason why he isn't further along in his development. His momentum is so stop-and-start, which means SHO can't build him into a star that the Thurmans and Spences of the world would actually need/want to fight. SHO/Ennis should be on the HBO-GGG formula, fighting 3-4 times a year and gradually building a following until he can no longer be ignored. In my theory, everyone would be yelling for Spence to fight Ennis or drop the belt.

Another problem is I believe he only has a deal with Showtime and not PBC so PBC are less likely to match him against their star names.

Thurman is cooked, he’s just looking for a final payday to cash himself out. No chance he’ll fight a rising star.

Maybe he could fight Ugas? That’s probably the best plausible option. At the very least though just keep him active, as you say 3-4 fights a year would be ideal.

[just the facts]

This is a puzzling situation. Ennis passes every eye test yet is moved slowly. He’s in his prime now, it’d be a shame if 10 years from now he’s in that what could have conversation.

[Malvado]

He will fight in June-July with likely his first headliner as the main event, the question is with whom though.

Ugas currently has not been contacted, in which he likely take a tune up in Barrios

Thurman is in talks with Spence, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

Cody Crowley is taking on Abel Ramos in the Benavidez vs Plant undercard.

This leaves Rashidi, Kavaliuskas, Butaev, Giyasov and Villa though only three out of five are in the IBF rankings.

If he takes on Maestre, Fox, James, Palmetto or Crocker. Then he is basically shooting himself on the foot, we don't know if he come back at the end of the year or not.

[al-Xander]

I have always maintained it doesn't matter who they fight as along as they remain active. So I agree with what's been posted here. Inactivity is the main enemy. If you choose to fight once a year, then you gotta choose at least a meaningful opponent. Inactivity + cherrypicked fight gotta be the worst combination of all.

[tomhawq]

Spence was given 120 days last December to either fight Ennis or vacate the belt, so what's the ruling here now that Crawford/Spence is happening?