Ennis vs Norman talks collapse, Norman to face Cuevas Nov. 8

Jaron Ennis must now rematch IBF mandatory Karen Chukhadzian

In what should come as no surprise after Eddie Hearn’s earlier comments, Top Rank’s Carl Morretti tells Dan Rafael that talks of a unification between IBF welterweight champ Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBO titlist Brian Norman Jr are “dead over money.” Instead, Norman will meet no. 7 contender Derrieck Cuevas on ESPN’s November 8th Keyshawn Davis vs Gustavo Lemos show.

Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KO) has competed all over the North and Latin American scenes throughout his decade-long career, though he’s yet to notch a noteworthy win in the process. He did contrive to lose a six-rounder to Damian Ezequiel Bonelli in 2020 on the heels of a year-long layoff, making him currently the sole victory of Bonelli’s last 14 bouts.

Norman (26-0, 20 KO) has admittedly come out flat in the past, but after watching him work over the very dangerous Giovani Santillan in May, it’s hard to sell Cuevas as a credible threat.