Eddie Hearn: Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is “too good, too young and too fresh” for Terence Crawford

Eddie Hearn says he is “100%” positive that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis will beat Terence Crawford. Matchroom promoter Hearn feels that 27-year-old Boots Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) is “too good, too young and too fresh” for former four-division world champion Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who on September 28, 37 returns and begins to show its age.

Crawford’s reluctance

Hearn would like Ennis to beat Crawford before the Omaha, Nebraska native retires, but he believes he’s one of those fighters who doesn’t want to let a younger fighter gain fame. Crawford is more interested in reaching above his pay grade to try and get a fight against Canelo Alvarez.

It’s the same thing. Canelo would be doing a less skilled, non-PPV fighter a favor if he were to fight Crawford. Although Crawford has done a lot with his career, he is not a PPV attraction and can only sell tickets in his hometown of Omaha.

It would be a good move for Crawford to fight Boots Ennis because if he can’t get the Canelo matchup, this is the best money fight for him. At least he would have a chance to win. There would probably be more money for Crawford if he was willing to do something crazy like move up to 175 and David Benavidez or the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol-winner to fight, but he is not insane. Crawford knows his limitations.

Crawford’s priorities and risk aversion

“Crawford knows how dangerous that fight is. He knows how dangerous Boots is, and he knows it won’t yet pay the money that justifies the risk. Maybe in six to twelve months it’s the mega-fight he needs,” Eddie Hearn continued Fight Hub TV about Terence Crawford not wanting to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis because of the risk involved.

Crawford is protecting his undefeated record, and he still thinks he has a chance to get a fight against Canelo. Fighting boots Ennis will be a big risk for Crawford because this is the type of fight you take when you are an active fighter, young, ambitious and competing two to three times a year. Crawford has only been fighting an annual battle since 2020.

“No, but if you lose to Canelo, you lose to a 168, all-time great. When you lose to Boots Ennis, sometimes these fighters feel like you’re giving them the opportunity,” Hearn said when asked if he felt Boots was a tougher fight for Crawford than Canelo.

For losing to Canelo, Crawford offers ready-made excuses. He would lose to a big fighter bigger than him at 168. On the other hand, being beaten by Ennis wouldn’t provide any of those excuses. Ennis is the same size as Crawford, less skilled, and unknown to casual boxing fans.

“If Boots wins and Boots beats Crawford. 100%,” Hearn said when asked if Boots beat Ennis Crawford. “Too good, too young and too fresh (for Crawford). Look at Madrimov. He had nine fights (when he won his world title). They say inexperience.”

Crawford’s age and inactivity

At this point, Crawford is too old and inactive for too long to beat Boots Ennis. The 13 months that Crawford was out of the ring after his career-best victory over Errol Spence last year has aged him badly, and he is not the guy he was in recent years. He looks even older.

“He had nine fights. It doesn’t matter (that Madrimov had 300 amateur fights). I’m sure Boots also had over 100 amateur fights, and he had 34 fights as a pro. He’s ready, but Crawford won’t fight him, and I don’t blame him,” Hearn said.

Experience doesn’t matter as Boots is reaching his peak, while Crawford is on the slide and different from what he was five to seven years ago.