‘He will be unbeatable’: Hearn on Boots Ennis’ move to 154

Eddie Hearn believes Jaron Ennis will take over at 154 and eventually at middleweight.

Jaron “Boots” Ennis recently confirmed that he’ll be moving up to the super welterweight division, leaving welterweight behind in the search for new challenges and new world titles.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn feels Ennis will be a dominant force at 154 lbs, and eventually, as middleweight, too.

“He’s going to put the fear of God up everybody at 154,” Hearn said. “Not just at (154), at (160) as well, over the next year or so. He’s a massive guy and those extra seven lbs are going to be huge for his performance.

“(He’ll be) back in August, September, and then ready for everybody — Vergil Ortiz, Murtzaliev, Fundora, anyone you want. That ‘Boots,’ for me, 100 percent physical(ly fit) Jaron Ennis, will be unbeatable.”

Ennis (34-0, 30 KO) last fought on April 12, dominating against Eimantas Stanionis to unify the WBA and IBF welterweight titles, which will likely be vacated officially soon. Would-be rival Brian Norman Jr was about the only somewhat interesting name left in the depleted 147 lb ranks, and while Norman and his team talked big coming off of his destructive KO of Jin Sasaki this week, that fight was offered and rejected repeatedly, and it appears Ennis was tired of waiting around for it.

Ennis’ team have also cited physical concerns, with “Boots” reportedly struggling to make the weight at 147 anymore, which is about normal, time-wise, for a 27-year-old fighter who may just now be entering his prime years.

Most expect — as Hearn seems to subtly confirm — that Ennis will have a fight more about testing the waters at 154 in the latter part of the summer, before then targeting bigger names in the new division.