Terence Crawford vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis: HE Turki Alalshikh’s Declaration May End Sebastian Fundora Rat Race

Jaron Ennis has been wanting a clash against Terence Crawford for quite a while. After inheriting Crawford’s IBF interim welterweight title, ‘Boots’ Ennis called him out for a fight but to no avail. However, he might just get his dream matchup following the declaration from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. However, that’s not all this potential fight would do!

Earlier today, talkSport editor Michael Benson revealed that the WBO will sanction ‘Bud’ Crawford’s August 3 bout against Israil Madrimov for the super welterweight interim title, including Madrimov’s WBA super welterweight title. And! The winner will fight Sebastian Fundora, who will look to defend his recently acquired WBO and WBC super welterweight title. However, His Excellency’s declaration could prove disastrous for Fundora. 

On April 22, Benson took to X, sharing insights from Alalshikh’s new ambition to make the fight between Terence Crawford vs. Jaron Ennis. Benson wrote, “His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has declared that he will try to make Terence Crawford vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis this year.” It means if Crawford wins against Madrimov on August 3 during Alalshikh’s debut event in America, he will have the option of facing Ennis or Fundora. 

It leaves Fundora in an especially precarious position, as he is currently not allowed to fight until December because he suffered a broken nose in his last outing. And if he decides to fight someone else in December or Crawford chooses Ennis as his right to do as the “super” champion, Fundora can either relinquish the belt or the WBO has the right to strip him of it. 

That’s not all! Crawford seems to have made a home in Alalshikh’s mind because there are more potential fights His Excellency wants Crawford to be part of. 

The Saudi Royal’s vision: Bringing the best together 

If there was one person in the boxing world who has the power to make the most impossible fight possible, it has to be the Saudi royal. Just look at his track record, and the upcoming fights slated for May. However, he seems to have been concocting many more such events between other heavy hitters in the industry.

According to a tweet from Benson on April 22, “His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has revealed that he has plans in mind for both Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez, but not fighting each other. He said he wants Benavidez to challenge the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol winner and would like to make Canelo vs Terence Crawford.”

That being said, only time will tell whether Terence Crawford chooses to acquire Sebastian Fundora’s belt to get close to undisputed in yet another weight division or give Jaron Ennis what he was looking for. Who do you think Crawford should fight after Madrimov?