Jaron 'Boots' Ennis finds himself at a crossroads in his boxing career. In an interview, he initially claimed a "miscommunication" led to his decision not to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr. on His Excellency Turki Alalshikh's February 22nd Riyadh Season card. Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) said he wanted to stay at 147 and unify the division.

Unraveling Jaron 'Boots' Ennis' Boxing Choices

Out Of The Loop: The Vergil Ortiz Jr. Saga

Ennis reached out to those involved to understand the situation, stating he felt out of the loop. "I got a great team, and I hired them to do their job, but it seemed like I was left in the dark. On the deadline for the February 22nd card, I was undecided," he said. He emphasized his desire to unify or be undisputed, not wanting to be labeled an "Email champion."This decision has sparked debates among fans. Some think Ennis ducked Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs), as he could have earned a big payday and increased his chances of facing Terence Crawford. If Ennis had moved up to junior middleweight, he might have had a shot at that fight. Staying at 147 limits his opportunities as he battles less popular fighters in a different weight class.

Validation At 147: Ennis' Career and Legacy

Ennis is focused on his next bout in 2025, aiming for a unification at 147. "I need to get that feeling of taking a belt from someone. It's what my career and legacy need. I haven't experienced that yet, and I believe it will stamp me," he said.However, there are challenges. The three other welterweight champions are highly regarded but have their own fan bases. Ennis' promoter, Eddie Hearn, has struggled to set up unification fights with WBO champion Brian Norman Jr., Mario Barrios, or WBA champ Eimantas Stanionis. If Ennis stays at 147 in 2025, it may be difficult to secure such a fight.When asked about his willingness to move up to 154 to fight Crawford, Ennis compared it to Crawford's pursuit of Canelo. "Terence Crawford is a future Hall of Famer. It's the same as him going up to 168 and only fighting Canelo. I would move up to 154 for a massive fight against Crawford, but not for Vergil Ortiz Jr. on that specific card," he explained.Overall, Ennis' choices and the subsequent discussions have brought significant attention to his boxing career and the challenges he faces in achieving his goals.