Jaron Ennis and his critics can agree on one thing. He needs an elite-level opponent.
So far, Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) has been settling for whoever is willing to step in the ring with him. Karen Chukhadzhian and Roiman Villa were passable but Ennis wanted someone bigger and better. Of course, his preferred choice is Terence Crawford, the welterweight division’s undisputed champion.
If the Omaha, Nebraska, native continues to look the other way, Ennis would love to match up with Keith Thurman. The former unified champ hasn’t been overly excited about facing Ennis but he claimed on numerous occasions that he would have no problem with giving the young gun a shot if the money is right.
Fans and even the majority of media members aren’t privy to what takes place behind closed doors. So, unsurprisingly, Ennis has been chastised for his inability to lure Thurman into the ring. Although he’s normally private and refrains from revealing certain things, Ennis let the cat out of the bag to let his fans know that it isn’t his fault.
“We trying, we trying,” said a frustrated Ennis to YSM Sports Media. “There’s nothing else I can do. I get tired of hearing his name. He keeps acting like he never got an offer before.”
Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) was once the man to beat. To a certain extent, he still is but his star power doesn’t shine quite as bright as it once did it.
Injuries and a propensity to play the waiting game have cost Thurman a ton of ring activity. Since 2019, he’s fought only once, a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios.
He might be out of the spotlight, but Thurman is hoping to eventually get his hands on Crawford. His perpetual need to call out the division’s top gun isn’t exactly surprising to Ennis. Considering his age, the rising star believes that Thurman is simply looking for one last gigantic paycheck before hanging up his gloves for good.
“He just wants a cash out. He’s older, he still can fight, he’s still good but he’s just trying to find a big payday.”