Bernard Hopkins desires to see one of the top welterweight fighters in the world put Jaron Ennis to the test.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, “Boots” Ennis’s new promoter, recently referred to him as “the best fighter from Philadelphia since Bernard Hopkins.” When he defends his IBF title for the first time against 31-year-old Canadian Cody Crowley, he will fight in his hometown for the first time since 2018.
Although Ennis has won all 31 of his fights—28 of them by knockout—he has not yet faced another top fighter in the 147-pound weight class, despite being long-regarded as Terence Crawford’s most likely successor.
Although Hopkins is aware of the 26-year-old’s enormous potential, he is eager to watch him compete to the fullest extent possible in order to ascertain the extent to which that potential will translate into greatness.
The greatest middleweight of all time, Hopkins, declared, “He’s impressed me.” All I need is for him to impress me with someone we both know. Before I get really impressed, I need to see him square up against some of the top two or three fighters in that weight class.
His skill set is impressive, but not surprising given that he’s from Philadelphia. However, you must defeat someone who inspires me in order to impress me. It’s difficult to persuade people with my attitude that way because I firmly believe that everything has a limit. Let’s wait and see when that limit is reached because I’m eager to watch him fight someone so that you may declare, “Wow,” “That was a fantastic performance,” or “He failed the test.”
“You’re familiar with the names in that weight class. Who do you want to see him square up against?
Hopkins said, “I’d start with those three,” in response to BoxingScene’s suggestion that Crawford, Errol Spence, or Eimantas Stanionis be considered. That’s the beginning. I asked you because I’m not the sharpest guy alive, but I’d like to see him—the names you just listed.
“I have a basic understanding of journalism: readers pose questions in order to see your response. However, the talk is pointless because you already know who he needs to battle—and ideally defeat—in order to be able to claim that he is a man who must be endured, much like the man he himself had to endure in order to become who he is. This is a game of sport where the object is to kill the lion in charge.
Ennis has expressed his wish to fight frequently in one of America’s premier fight towns, and both Hearn and Derek “Bozy” Ennis, the fighter’s father and trainer, have discussed the significance that fighting in Philadelphia can have.
Hopkins of Golden Boy Promotions stated, “If you’re the best in a division, you’re the best in that division.” “It’s evident that he gets a lift if he fights here and is from here, but it doesn’t mean that the East Coast is back on board like it was during the Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, or Meldrick Taylor eras.
“According to the article, boxing originated on the East Coast since an East Coast fighter insisted on holding the matches there as he is from there. Would it be a boost for Atlantic City, New York City, and other major cities? Indeed. Conversely, though, the two fighters competing on Saturday night are not East Coast natives. They are not locals. It’s possible that they haven’t even held amateur bouts here previously.
“Yet boxing doesn’t care where you live or what state you’re in—it just demands that people watch it, purchase it, and come get autographs. Boxing is just boxing. Individuals will board the bus, rail, or aircraft and travel to witness a thrilling bout of combat.
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