Crawford vs Ennis: Why Boots Won't Beat Bud—At Any Weight
Jaron "Boots" Ennis (32-0) is undeniably one of boxing's brightest rising stars, and his recent rematch win over Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2) has only furthered that reputation. Ennis was expected to show an even better performance this time around, following his earlier dominance of the IBF mandatory challenger. However, despite a decisive fifth-round knockdown, Ennis’ display raised some questions, especially about his defensive lapses.
In the rematch, Chukhadzhian came out with a more aggressive approach, capitalizing on the openings Ennis left in his defense. While Boots did eventually grow into the fight, he was tagged too often for a fighter of his caliber, especially considering Chukhadzhian’s status as a 20/1 underdog. Despite the knockdown and a point deduction for Chukhadzhian, Ennis’ performance was far from flawless. The Ukrainian challenger had his moments, making the fight less impressive than expected for a fighter as hyped as Boots.
With his lack of defensive refinement on display, the question has been raised: Is it time for Ennis to move up to 154lbs? The move could open doors to high-profile matchups, but if his defensive vulnerabilities are present at super-welterweight, they could become even more costly against heavier hitters. Ennis' power and speed are unquestionable, but the key to his success lies in tightening up his defense.
This is where a potential fight with Terence "Bud" Crawford becomes especially concerning. Crawford, who has proven himself at the highest levels of both welterweight and light-middleweight, is a master tactician with the ability to exploit even the slightest openings. Against someone like Bud, who has an impeccable defense and can adjust mid-fight, Ennis’ current shortcomings could be magnified. Crawford's experience and fight IQ would likely overwhelm the young contender, even at 147lbs, and especially if the fight moves up to 154lbs.
Ennis may still be a rising star with limitless potential, but until he addresses his defensive lapses, the thought of him beating Crawford remains unrealistic. If he can't solve the defensive problems that allowed Chukhadzhian to land clean shots, it’s hard to imagine him having the tools to deal with a fighter as complete as Bud Crawford.
As Ennis looks to move forward, his next steps will be critical. If he decides to pursue the dream of unifying the 147lb division, he’ll have to fix his defensive holes first. Otherwise, jumping up in weight may expose him to even bigger challenges, especially against power-punching, tactically sound fighters like Crawford. Until then, it's hard to see how Boots could overcome the puzzle that is Terence Crawford—at any weight.
