No more cans for Ennis please.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

We saw against Stanionis that Boots is capable of mixing it with the top contenders. That fight with Lima last night was pointless, especially considering how inactive fighters are today.

Someone like Ortiz, Fundora, Bakhram, Zayas etc needs to be next. Hopefully the rumoured Ortiz fight gets made because it’s a great acid test for both.

[Coverdale]

Can anyone explain why the WBA created an 'interim' belt for this? I ask here because I've given up expecting the boxing media from ever asking these necessary questions.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Can anyone explain why the WBA created an 'interim' belt for this? I ask here because I've given up expecting the boxing media from ever asking these necessary questions.

In 4 weeks, they’ve stripped their 154 champion, promoted an interim champion to full champion, created a new interim champion.

I honestly just disregard any secondary WBA title, I just see it as a ranking title like WBC Silver, WBO intercontinental, IBF international etc.

[kiaba360]

In 4 weeks, they’ve stripped their 154 champion, promoted an interim champion to full champion, created a new interim champion.

I honestly just disregard any secondary WBA title, I just see it as a ranking title like WBC Silver, WBO intercontinental, IBF international etc.

Baraou/Tellez was essentially the crowning of a new WBA titlist because we all knew Crawford wasn't coming back down to defend his title. I'm not sure why WBA made this an interim title fight instead of a final eliminator, but I think Ennis should start negotiating with Baraou immediately. Ennis needs the full title, so there's one less reason to avoid him. Ortiz/Fundora is the elephant in the room at 154, and it seems like they've made a silent agreement not to fight each other. Guys like Spence, Thurman and Lubin shouldn't be on their radar.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Baraou/Tellez was essentially the crowning of a new WBA titlist because we all knew Crawford wasn't coming back down to defend his title. I'm not sure why WBA made this an interim title fight instead of a final eliminator, but I think Ennis should start negotiating with Baraou immediately. Ennis needs the full title, so there's one less reason to avoid him.

Who do you think is avoiding him?

He should fight Ortiz next IMO. That’s the biggest fight at 154.

[kiaba360]

Who do you think is avoiding him?

He should fight Ortiz next IMO. That’s the biggest fight at 154.

Not that he is currently being actively avoided, but that having a full title will eliminate that potential excuse from the equation. The interim title will not help him get "big" fights, it may actually do the opposite because you can't unify an interim or secondary title. I'm pretty sure the interim title issue was used to justify not making Benavidez/Morrell at 168. Ennis and Ortiz both have interim titles now.

I'll believe Ennis/Ortiz when I see it. As of now, Ennis should go after Baraou. If he doesn't, then what's the point of having the interim title? Baraou fought in August, so he's available. He also looked good vs. Tellez, so he isn't a slouch. I'd be impressed if he can replicate his dominance last night vs. Baraou.

If Ennis didn't have the interim title, I would prefer Ennis/Murtazaliev. Bahkram desperately needs another significant match-up because he's rotting on the vine...which probably isn't by accident. So I would've liked for Ennis to go after the guy whom everyone else seems hesitant to face. Ennis just moved up in weight and has experience with the IBF's weigh-in rules, so I don't foresee him using that excuse.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Not that he is currently being actively avoided, but that having a full title will eliminate that potential excuse from the equation. The interim title will not help him get "big" fights, it may actually do the opposite because you can't unify an interim or secondary title. I'm pretty sure the interim title issue was used to justify not making Benavidez/Morrell at 168. Ennis and Ortiz both have interim titles now.

I'll believe Ennis/Ortiz when I see it. As of now, Ennis should go after Baraou. If he doesn't, then what's the point of having the interim title? Baraou fought in August, so he's available. He also looked good vs. Tellez, so he isn't a slouch. I'd be impressed if he can replicate his dominance last night vs. Baraou.

If Ennis didn't have the interim title, I would prefer Ennis/Murtazaliev. Bahkram desperately needs another significant match-up because he's rotting on the vine...which probably isn't by accident. So I would've liked for Ennis to go after the guy whom everyone else seems hesitant to face. Ennis just moved up in weight and has experience with the IBF's weigh-in rules, so I don't foresee him using that excuse.

Rumours suggest the Saudi’s are going to back an Ennis-Ortiz fight, so I’m optimistic it can happen but I’m not holding my breath either as it’s a risky fight for both.

If the more recognised champions aren’t available I’m happy to see him fight Baraou, however, I think there’ll be a better option. Murtazaliev for example would definitely fight Boots next, he’s desperate for a meaningful fight. Seems nobody wants that smoke.

[JakeTheBoxer]

I believe Murtazaliev is the best at 154.

[Coverdale]

Baraou/Tellez was essentially the crowning of a new WBA titlist because we all knew Crawford wasn't coming back down to defend his title. I'm not sure why WBA made this an interim title fight instead of a final eliminator, but I think Ennis should start negotiating with Baraou immediately. Ennis needs the full title, so there's one less reason to avoid him. Ortiz/Fundora is the elephant in the room at 154, and it seems like they've made a silent agreement not to fight each other. Guys like Spence, Thurman and Lubin shouldn't be on their radar.

It was an eliminator initially before being upgraded to 'interim' later. They've presumably got another 'final eliminator' in mind which they can make more fees from. We will no doubt end up with a WBA 'interim' and mandatory #1 simultaneously, like the WBC have created at 140lbs.

Meanwhile, we have no idea when the actual independent top ten of the division are likely to face each other. I'm sure there will be another fun round of Twitter sparring between Boots/Hearn and Ortiz/Oscar, though.

With Fundora's marking time fight with hasbeen Thurman pushed back to early next year (at the earliest) it will be late next year before we can even think about him facing one of his actual divisional peers.

[kiaba360]

Rumours suggest the Saudi’s are going to back an Ennis-Ortiz fight, so I’m optimistic it can happen but I’m not holding my breath either as it’s a risky fight for both.

If the more recognised champions aren’t available I’m happy to see him fight Baraou, however, I think there’ll be a better option. Murtazaliev for example would definitely fight Boots next, he’s desperate for a meaningful fight. Seems nobody wants that smoke.

I think this Ortiz/Fundora marination is a bigger problem than it appears. Ortiz/Fundora not happening leads to the likes of Spence/Thurman getting recycled, and guys like Lubin ducking one title shot (vs. Murtazaliev) to fight for an interim title because it's supposedly more lucrative. Meanwhile, Ennis wins an interim title in his 154lb debut and the demand is for him to face someone who seemingly doesn't want to cash in his own interim title. I've already settled on the conclusion that Ortiz/Fundora are avoiding each other. And if they are avoiding each other, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that they would also avoid Ennis. 154lb is chaotic because the correct match-ups aren't happening, and Ennis' presence will only exacerbate that problem.