Promoter Eddie Hearn has named the five fighters he would like to face Oscar De La Hoya’s five in a Golden Boy Promotions vs Matchroom 5 vs. 5 event wants to compete.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
One of the matches Hearn wants is for his fighter, IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, to defend against Golden Boy’s Ryan Garcia. It would be an unfair sporting event, as Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) has yet to debut at 147.
A better choice would be for Shakur Stevenson to face Ryan Garcia. That fight will attract far more fan interest than Boots Ennis, who lacks charisma and has a bad habit of repeating himself in interviews. Shakur needs to show if he is the future “Global Superstar” that Hearn raved about.
Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) is big for the 147-lb division and should fight the top fighters at 154. He is reluctant to make the move, and fans are already beginning to suspect that he is afraid to mix it up with top talents Terence Crawford, Bakhram Murtazaliev, Sebastian Fundora, and Serhii Bohachuk.
Hearn’s Dream 5 vs 5 card
– Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs Ryan Garcia
– Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda
– Israil Madrimov vs Vergil Ortiz
Jai Opetaia vs Gilberto Ramirez
– Jack Catterall vs. Jose Ramirez
The bout between Hearn’s fighter, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, and Golden Boy’s William Zepeda is expected to take place on February 22 in Riyadh. Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) still needs to win his fight against Tevin Farmer on November 16 at Latino Night in Riyadh.
If Zepeda wins this, he will likely face Shakur next if the champion doesn’t suffer a setback with his recent hand injury. Shakur underwent surgery to repair the problem, but it’s unclear if he can make it through training camp without getting injured again. The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.
WBA Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto Ramirez fights WBO Champion Chris Billiam-Smith on November 16, and it’s a toss-up fight. Ramirez could lose.
Light welterweight contender Jack Catterall would be a poor choice for Hearn to host a 5 vs 5 event against former unified 140-lb champion Jose Ramirez. A better choice for Hearn would be to pick the winner of the December 7th fight between IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins against Ramirez. Hearn promotes Paro and Hitchins.
Boots vs. Ryan, Shakur vs. Zepeda, Ortiz vs. Madrimov, Zurdo vs. Opetaia, Catterall vs. Ramirez = easy job! https://t.co/PcIwoQ9oAC
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 6, 2024
