Teofimo Lopez has considered the physical and psychological hurdles that Jaron Ennis would need to overcome against Terence Crawford.
While he claims to be happily retired, there appears to be a popular demand for Crawford to return to the ring and face two-division unified champion Ennis.
This is in spite of ‘Bud’ calling time on his career in December, having become a three-division undisputed king by dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision victory.
But while this legacy-defining moment arrived at 168lbs, most would argue that the five-division world champion was more effective at 147lbs, where he defeated Errol Spence Jr with a ninth-round finish in 2023.
Ennis, meanwhile, moved up from welterweight and dethroned Xander Zayas for the WBO and WBA world super-welterweight titles in June.
As a result of his seventh-round stoppage, many now consider him the top dog at 154lbs, where he aims to become the undisputed king by defeating fellow champions Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora.
Equally, though, the 29-year-old would gladly enter a showdown with Crawford who, even at 38, is regarded by Lopez as the superior fighter.
Speaking with Ring Champs, ‘The Takeover’ highlighted Crawford’s mental strength as a reason for backing the modern great if he ever locks horns with Ennis.
“Crawford [would win]. For Boots to fall into a trap like that [Crawford teasing his comeback] … he’s not prepared [to get] in the ring [and] go all the way, physically.”
While mentioning Crawford’s appetite for a game of chess, too, Lopez is perhaps suggesting that Ennis would fall short in the tactical department of their possible contest.
