If Terence Crawford could boot out David Avanesyan in the sixth round, then ‘Boots’ Ennis can do much better. He retired the European welterweight champion in the fifth round. So why not bring the two ‘Ava’-conquerors into the ring and see who emerges as the top dog? It looks like Jaron Ennis‘ emphatic win has mighty impressed His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to the extent that he would love to see him take on ‘Bud’ in the light middleweight division. But ask Oscar De La Hoya, and he believes that Boots will get the boots from not only the Nebraskan southpaw but from his high-power charge Vergil Ortiz Jr. as well.

It was the first title defense for Ennis. He became a full champion following Crawford’s eviction from the IBF championship. The latter has now moved over to light middleweight. Many deem it an attempt to get closer to his dream fight with Canelo Alvarez. He will face WBA champion Israil Madrimov on August 3 at the Riyadh season card in Los Angeles. Vergil Ortiz Jr. also could have had a fight on the same day. However, the fight with Tim Tszyu had to be canceled. Instead, Ortiz Jr. will now face the WBC’s interim light middleweight champion, Serhii Bohachuk, on August 10 in Las Vegas.

Bold ambitions, but still no chance, insists Oscar De La Hoya

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh revealed in a tweet that he had a word with both Jaron Ennis and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Basically, he wanted to congratulate them on their win over David Avanesyan. Then he said, “I’d love to see Ennis in fight with Crawford at weight 154 soon.”

But as it appeared, Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t think that Jaron Ennis stands a chance. According to him, the likes of ‘Bud’ Crawford and Vergil Ortiz Jr., either of them would easily defeat the Philadelphian. Interestingly, he received an immediate reply from HE Alalshikh, who said, “Let’s see.“

The matchup between Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis has been one of the most coveted in recent times. But somehow, for one reason or another, the two could never enter for a round of dancing despite being in the same weight class. As champion, Crawford had a mandatory obligation to enter the title defense against Ennis, then an interim IBF title holder. But his contractual binding with Errol Spence Jr. for a rematch made things difficult.

Unable to proceed, IBF eventually decided to strip him of their belt, thereby rendering him a unified champion from an undisputed one. Consequently, with no sight of the Spence Jr. rematch, Crawford decided to seek his fortunes in a division above. Some believe it could be a move to get near his target— a clash with Canelo Alvarez.

What about the future?

But Eddie Hearn remains quite hopeful that a fight between Jaron Ennis and Terence Crawford may eventually fall into line. Speaking with reporters during the post-fight presser, he revealed having a Facetime conversation with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. So reportedly, ‘Boots’ informed the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Saudi Arabia, that he could send over the contract for the Crawford fight.

So Hearn hopes that once Crawford clears the Madrimov hurdle, there could be a chance for the fight with Ennis. The English promoter didn’t sound too hopeful of a fight between Canelo Alvarez and ‘Bud’ anytime soon. So, in all probability, a fight with Boots might make some sense by the first quarter of 2025.

What’s your take on Oscar De La Hoya’s reaction to HE Alalshikh’s suggestion on the Crawford-Ennis match?