(Interview by Declan Warrington)
BN: You were perhaps the worldโs 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 Iโll put 100 per cent in, and itโs 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] canโt 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: Thatโs very important โ to know that Iโll fight in Philly. Itโs been a while โ itโs 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 canโt wait. Itโs something that Philly needs. Itโs something Phillyโs 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, thereโs a few big fights [destined for Philadelphia], but Iโd rather be the first one. So, thatโs 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, thatโs all. Just figuring out stuff. [I bought a house in late 2023] outside Philadelphia. I mean, itโs nice to have room for myself โ itโs something that I needed. It was nice.
BN: Since you last fought the IBF have installed you as their championโฆย
JE: Itโs definitely not how I wanted it. You know, Iโd rather take it from somebody. Thereโs nothing I can do. I couldnโt say โNoโ; I couldnโt say โYesโ. They just elevated me up. Nothing I can do, but Iโm gonna defend the belt and do what I need to do. I donโt really care what nobody say [laughs] โ I ainโt gonna lie. Like, I donโt care what social media say. It donโt fuckinโ bother me.
BN: Do you consider yourself the champion?
JE: Iโve 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. โI donโt know whatโs going on.โ Boxing is a weird game, but at the end of the day thereโs nothing you really can do. You canโt control it, so Iโm not going to [try].
BN: Did it make you conclude Crawford didnโt want to fight you?
JE: You said it yourself [laughs]. Thatโs 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. Iโve always said it donโt matter where itโs at. As long as Iโm fighting โ I just love fighting. You can see [the way that investment is changing the sport] โ you can say.
Most definitely [Iโm Crawfordโs toughest potential opponent]. I didnโt know how he was going to do the jump [to super middleweight to potentially fight Saul โCaneloโ Alvarez]. I didnโt know how he was gonna jump that many weights. I didnโt feel no type of way. Itโs not really [a mismatch] โ Canelo started at 154, and Caneloโs not really a big guy.
BN: Is he the best fighter in the world?
JE: I am.
BN: Cody Crawley is nextโฆ
JE: Iโm just sitting here waiting. Iโm sitting here waiting โtill they give me a โGoโ. Heโs a good fighter. But I really donโt care โ I donโt 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 Iโd say Vergil and me still. Iโll definitely get to 154 [in future], for sure.