Thank goodness, Blair ‘The Flair’ Cobbs graced the Jaron Ennis–Karen Chukhadzhian post-fight press conference. Otherwise, it would have been just another mundane affair. Four months after he defended his IBF title, ‘Boots’ returned to his hometown Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center to face Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch. The pair had earlier dueled in January last year. The outcome barely twitched an inch.

With his third title defense behind him, Jaron Ennis must now plan his next move. He might opt for a title unification fight or leapfrog to the light middleweight and call out Terence Crawford once again. Talks of a matchup against Vergil Ortiz Jr. have also surfaced. Blair Cobbs, another popular welterweight contender, feels that he also deserves a chance at a ‘Boots’ fight. The drubbing he gave to Adrien Broner early in June makes a strong point. However, to make his pitch, he picked the Chukhadzhian post-fight presser. Eddie Hearn nevertheless had other thoughts.

Eddie Hearn vs. Blair Cobbs: The Battle of the Banter

Hearn had barely concluded his reply. He was talking about Raymond Ford and Eduardo Nunez, two of the top 130-pound fighters from the Matchroom stable. Suddenly, a voice caught his and Jaron Ennis’ attention. It was Blair Cobbs.

Most fans and the media crowd understand what usually happens when a fighter barges into a rival’s press conference—it sparks. Remember the Canelo Alvarez presser where Demetrius Andrade broke in? Thankfully, at the Ennis-Chukhadzhian event, things were toned down and respectful. They were dramatic nevertheless.

Cobbs firstly congratulated Jaron Ennis and his team for putting up a spectacular show for the Philadelphians. The intro helped him segue into business with ease. “We know the two options that you want to pick, but there’s still a third option. That third option is the most exciting man in boxing, Blair ‘The Flair’ fighting Jaron Boots Ennis in a major hit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” Cobbs presented his case.

For a moment, it appeared as if Eddie Hearn was staring at a curveball. His attempt to squeeze himself into the ongoing discourse had Jaron Ennis laughing. Hearn told Cobbs, “I like you, Blair. I think you’re a very funny guy.” But the Englishman added, “I do think you can fight, but we got to move on to that next level now.”

Other possibilities are available

“We want either a major name or…” explained Eddie Hearn. “A major name is Blair ‘The Flair’,” interjected Cobbs. “I am afraid you are not,” shot back the British promoter. That puzzled Blair Cobbs. He had defeated one of the most prominent welterweight figures, Adrien Broner. But that wasn’t sufficient enough for Eddie Hearn, it seems. Jaron Ennis had to fight a genuine big shot, and for whatever he had achieved in the past, whereas according to him, Adrien Broner was “shot to pieces” by the time he fought Cobbs.

Blair Cobbs’ persistence had a telling effect on Eddie Hearn’s patience. Jaron Ennis was still laughing when the Matchroom boss suggested a truce-making alternate for ‘The Flair. “Let me tell you one thing now while saying ‘take the microphone off you’. I think you’re a lovely guy. We’ve got a good fight for you, Karen Chukhadzhian.”

Probably, in his opinion—and many others—the future prospects for Jaron Ennis lie way ahead of where Blair Cobbs is at the moment. Given where he stands today, Ennis is on the cusp of boxing greatness. He needs to think carefully and make his moves deliberately. 35-year-old Cobbs is a slick fighter, but he won’t be able to match the technical craft of Ennis. For Eddie Hearn, even if one gives Cobbs a puncher’s chance, it could derail the entire plan and set Ennis back. So it’s a matchup that could cut either way.

What is your take? Do you feel Jaron Ennis could afford to give Blair Cobbs a shot before moving on to a bigger fight?