Patience, as they say, is a virtue. However, biding his time and remaining silent has done little to advance the career of Jaron Ennis thus far. With a slew of eye-catching victories underneath his belt, the smooth switch-hitting phenom has burst through the welterweight rankings, holding firm to a top-three position in all four of the major sanctioning bodies.

Seemingly, his stature as the next in line to face current unified 147-pound champion, Errol Spence Jr., should be solidified if he takes care of business on January 7th, against Karen Chukhadzhian. Should victory fall onto his lap, Ennis will be rewarded with the IBF interim crown.

Ultimately, Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) could opt to go in another direction. Just a few short weeks ago, the 32-year-old hinted that his return to the ring will take place at some point in April with Keith Thurman emerging as the leading man. If things go according to plan, Spence will then turn his attention to WBO titlist, Terence Crawford.

With the schedule of Spence evidently containing a logjam, acrimony is beginning to set in for Ennis. In any event, if the 25-year-old is unable to lure Spence into the ring, he could look for greener pastures one division higher.

“If I get an opportunity at 54, I’ll definitely go to 54,” said Ennis recently to Fight Hub TV.

The land of the junior middleweight division, though stacked with talent, has one kingpin presiding over it, Jermell Charlo. In his lone appearance of 2022, Charlo would go on to become the division’s first undisputed champion in the four-belt era, doing so at the expense of Brian Castano.

Initially, the ambitious titleholder was set to defend his undisputed throne against Tim Tszyu before a broken hand forced him to postpone their bout. If, by chance, Charlo makes a quick and healthy return and is willing to offer Ennis a shot at his crown, the up-and-coming contender will gladly accept. In his view, the most important thing to do in his career is to unambiguously prove that he belongs amongst boxing’s elite.

“I’m hungry. It don’t matter who you put in front of me, I just want to fight and prove myself and show the world my talent.”