Born Champion: Jaron Ennis believes he is the world’s number one

(Interview by Declan Warrington)


BN: You were perhaps the worldโ€™s most sought-after free agent. Why is it Matchroom you chose to sign for?

JE: This was the best decision for me right now. I know Eddie will back me 100 per cent, and Iโ€™ll put 100 per cent in, and itโ€™s gonna be good โ€“ a power duo. It was a lot [of rival offers].

This is gonna lead to me being undisputed, collecting all the belts, and making myself a marquee guy. A mega superstar โ€“ so you [rivals] canโ€™t turn down nothing.


BN: How influential was their relationship with your friend Andy Cruz?

JE: I liked how they was moving Andy. I like the things done for him, and how they treat him. He speaks positively about them.


BN: What about the extent to which they promote geographically, and you previously telling Boxing News of your desire to fight in Philadelphia, your home city?

JE: Thatโ€™s very important โ€“ to know that Iโ€™ll fight in Philly. Itโ€™s been a while โ€“ itโ€™s been about six years. The last time I fought in Philly we sold the place out. It was like standing room only โ€“ barely, there was nothing. I canโ€™t wait. Itโ€™s something that Philly needs. Itโ€™s something Phillyโ€™s been missing, and this is going to be the first big Philly fight in a long time. I needed a proper homecoming.

I feel like, eventually, thereโ€™s a few big fights [destined for Philadelphia], but Iโ€™d rather be the first one. So, thatโ€™s all that matters.


BN: It was nine months ago when you impressively fought and stopped Roiman Villa. Why have you since had such a low profile?

JE: Just, figuring out things, thatโ€™s all. Just figuring out stuff. [I bought a house in late 2023] outside Philadelphia. I mean, itโ€™s nice to have room for myself โ€“ itโ€™s something that I needed. It was nice.


BN: Since you last fought the IBF have installed you as their championโ€ฆย 

JE: Itโ€™s definitely not how I wanted it. You know, Iโ€™d rather take it from somebody. Thereโ€™s nothing I can do. I couldnโ€™t say โ€œNoโ€; I couldnโ€™t say โ€œYesโ€. They just elevated me up. Nothing I can do, but Iโ€™m gonna defend the belt and do what I need to do. I donโ€™t really care what nobody say [laughs] โ€“ I ainโ€™t gonna lie. Like, I donโ€™t care what social media say. It donโ€™t fuckinโ€™ bother me.


BN: Do you consider yourself the champion?

JE: Iโ€™ve been a champion since I was born.


BN: The IBF stripped Terence Crawford of their title because you were his mandatory challenger but he said that he was committed to a rematch with Errol Spence. How frustrating is it for you to see that rematch not happening?

JE: I wanted that fight. It definitely was โ€“ not frustrating, but it was weird. โ€œI donโ€™t know whatโ€™s going on.โ€ Boxing is a weird game, but at the end of the day thereโ€™s nothing you really can do. You canโ€™t control it, so Iโ€™m not going to [try].


BN: Did it make you conclude Crawford didnโ€™t want to fight you?

JE: You said it yourself [laughs]. Thatโ€™s what it is.


BN: Can the investment in boxing from Saudi Arabia and its growing influence still lead to the two of you fighting?

JE: If it makes a big fight then it makes sense. Iโ€™ve always said it donโ€™t matter where itโ€™s at. As long as Iโ€™m fighting โ€“ I just love fighting. You can see [the way that investment is changing the sport] โ€“ you can say.

Most definitely [Iโ€™m Crawfordโ€™s toughest potential opponent]. I didnโ€™t know how he was going to do the jump [to super middleweight to potentially fight Saul โ€œCaneloโ€ Alvarez]. I didnโ€™t know how he was gonna jump that many weights. I didnโ€™t feel no type of way. Itโ€™s not really [a mismatch] โ€“ Canelo started at 154, and Caneloโ€™s not really a big guy.


BN: Is he the best fighter in the world?

JE: I am.


BN: Cody Crawley is nextโ€ฆ

JE: Iโ€™m just sitting here waiting. Iโ€™m sitting here waiting โ€˜till they give me a โ€œGoโ€. Heโ€™s a good fighter. But I really donโ€™t care โ€“ I donโ€™t care who it is. I just wanna fight in the ring โ€“ get back in the ring; get back to doing what I do best. I just want that fight to come.


BN: Not unlike with Crawford and Spence, who do you see becoming your long-term rival?

JE: It was Vergil Ortiz. I think he moved up [to light middleweight]. He was trying to stay in the division, so Iโ€™d say Vergil and me still. Iโ€™ll definitely get to 154 [in future], for sure.

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