UNIFIED welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis could be stripped of his WBA world title unless he faces mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov next.
The 27-year-old claimed his black and gold strap – while also defending his IBF belt – with an emphatic sixth-round stoppage victory over Eimantas Stanionis last month.
Throughout that performance, ‘Boost’ put on a masterful and clinically ruthless display, dethroning his sturdy opponent following what proved to be a largely one-sided beatdown.
But while his ultimate goal, as always, is to become the undisputed king at 147lbs, the American seemingly remains unlikely to face either of his fellow champions next.
WBC titlist Mario Barrios, as it happens, is gearing up for a controversial matchup against Manny Pacquiao – with the eight-division world champion making a comeback at 46-years-old – on July 19.
WBO champion Brian Norman Jr, meanwhile, is set to face top contender Jin Sasaki a month earlier, headlining a card in Tokyo, Japan.
For Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), though, a potential fight with Teofimo Lopez appears to be on the table, as the WBO super-lightweight champion has expressed his desire to move up to welterweight.
But more than likely, that would mean ‘Boots’ getting stripped of his WBA strap, with leading contender Giyasov patiently waiting in the wings for his title shot.
The 31-year-old previously allowed Ennis to face Stanionis, firmly believing that his overdue mandatory opportunity would arrive soon after.
So now, unless both parties reach some form of an agreement – perhaps involving step aside money – it would appear that the unbeaten Uzbek is likely to challenge for world honours before long.
“I think [the WBA would allow Ennis-Lopez] only Team Giyasov agreed for it to happen,” Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith, who represents both Ennis and Giyasov, told Boxing News.
“That’s going to be for Shakhram to decide; he’s been very open about his dream to fight for the world title.
“I’m speaking to Vadim [Kornilov], who manages Shakhram, later tonight [yesterday], so we’ll see how things play out over the next few days.
“We obviously represent Shakhram as well, so we have to do the best we can for all our fighters.”
