The back-and-forth between Terence Crawford and Jaron “Boots” Ennis was already the talk of the boxing world, easily the biggest highlight from TNT and DAZN’s recent collaboration. But Crawford clearly wasn’t satisfied just being *a* highlight. He decided to unleash “Round 2” of their brewing feud on social media Wednesday, dropping a bombshell hint that he was ready to un-retire and step back into the ring to face none other than Ennis, the unified super welterweight champion.
Crawford’s Deceptive Move Left Boxing Fans Scratching Their Heads
Crawford, a guy who used to reign as pound-for-pound king, threw down the gauntlet. He flat-out asked Ennis to confirm if he’d fight him next. And what did “Boots” do? He didn’t hesitate, responding with a resounding affirmative, signaling he was absolutely ready for the challenge. But then, *boom*, Crawford pulled the ultimate bait-and-switch! He announced that his whole offer was a fake, a total trick designed to see if Ennis was trying to duck a potential fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. Can you believe the nerve? This blatant deception, trying to play mind games with one of the sport’s rising stars, did *not* sit well with the boxing fan base. They were left scratching their heads, and honestly, pretty frustrated.
The Ortiz Saga and Ennis’s Relentless Ascent
It’s an extra sting because this isn’t the first time the boxing world has been denied an epic Ennis showdown. Think back to last November. After Vergil Ortiz Jr. delivered an absolutely impressive knockout win over Erickson Lubin, Ennis and Ortiz faced off right there in the ring. The anticipation was electric! Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, thought we were finally going to get to see two American fighters, both in their absolute prime, go head-to-head in what would have been an instant classic. Instead, what did we get? Months and months of drawn-out public negotiations, a super complicated, long-winded legal saga, and ultimately, just another anticipated fight that completely failed to reach the finish line. It’s a frustrating pattern. While Ortiz is still out there, inactive and without a dance partner, “Boots” Ennis kept his focus, kept training, and went out there in June to knock out Xander Zayas, officially becoming a two-division world champion. The guy just keeps moving forward, no matter what.
Undisputed Status in His Sights (Unless a Legend Calls)
Now, Ennis is locked in, laser-focused on his next big challenge: a three-belt unification fight with IBF champion Josh Kelly. His ultimate prize? Undisputed status in 2027. He made it super clear on Saturday’s broadcast, telling both Crawford and the TNT studio crew that chasing undisputed is his absolute, non-negotiable priority. Some fans might still be wondering why he isn’t revisiting that Ortiz fight, especially given the history, but when you have a chance to etch your name in boxing history as an undisputed champion, that kind of singular focus makes perfect sense. Here’s the wild card, though: even with all that focus, it *does* appear “Boots” would actually put his undisputed goal on hold. He’d divert from that path if Crawford were serious about exiting retirement for a truly major legacy fight. That’s the kind of respect and ambition that separates the good from the great.
So, while Crawford played his social media games, Ennis continues his relentless march toward history, with that huge unification clash against Kelly on the horizon and undisputed glory looming in 2027. But Crawford’s stunt, even if fake, just confirmed that a legitimate, legacy-defining challenge from a legend could still shift everything for “Boots.” Keep your eyes peeled, because Ennis is here to make a statement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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