Jaron Ennis could be Philadelphia’s next great boxing champion, but needs a title shot first

Jaron Ennis laid on his back and covered his eyes after a grueling workout last month. I threw up, stopped doing sit-ups, hit battle ropes with ease, and carried weights around the gym.

The night’s work, or at least the hard work, is over. It’s time for Ennis with her eyes closed to see her dream.

“Think about what your goals are,” said his strength and conditioning coach, Altaf Rahamaturra. “What is your most important goal?”

Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) envisioned defeating Karen Chukajian (21-1, 11 KOs) in Washington on Saturday to become the IBF interim welterweight champion. And he dreamed of winning the actual title, which is now held by Errol Spence, and eventually he was unanimously champion at 147 pounds.

“I just imagined all the belts around my waist,” Ennis said.

Nicknamed ‘The Boot’, the 25-year-old has 19 wins in stops and has yet to face a real challenge as a pro. He is considered by many to be one of boxing’s rising stars, and Bernard may well become the city’s most prominent boxer since Hopkins. He fights in one of the sport’s best divisions and has a style made for television. It seems that a star is ready to be born.

“Within that target,” said Rahmatullah while Ennis remained on the floor. “What are the tasks required to reach that goal?”

And that’s where it gets complicated. Ennis scored a second-round knockout last May that made him the frontrunner for the IBF, but never had a chance at the title. Spence, who also holds the WBA and WBC titles, attempted to take on WBO champion Terrence Crawford, but a unification match did not materialize. So Ennis waited.

Instead, Crawford defended his title against the lesser-rated David Avanesian, stating that Ennis’ name never came up when looking for an opponent. He seems to be in a hold pattern until he wins Crawford.

Denied a title shot, Ennis would have challenged former champion Keith Thurman, but interest was low.

Ennis will secure Saturday’s 12-round bout as a featured undercard for the Showtime pay-per-view telecast headlined by WBA lightweight champion Garbonta Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia from Washington’s Capital One Arena. , has been idle for 7 months. A world championship is still a dream, but Ennis thinks it’s getting closer.

His father, Derek “Borsey” Ennis, sent a series of letters — “long text messages” — to IBF president Darryl Peoples asking why Spence was obliged to defend his title against the number one contender. Ennis, who also trains his son, told Peoples that Spence hasn’t fought a forced challenger in four years.

“It’s our time,” said Ennis. “You must do what is right.”

Ennis said he believed his plea had worked and Peoples called and told him a title shot was coming. were told to give the defense to No. 1 contender who would be Jaron Ennis be scheduled if they win on Saturday.

So Spence-Ennis in one of Philadelphia’s biggest games in years later this year? It’s probably not that simple.

Bozzie Ennis said, “I don’t think Spence will fight Boots.” If Spence doesn’t want to fight Boots, I’m not chasing Spence because if he doesn’t want to fight Boots, I’m giving up the title.”

Ennis said he doesn’t think the Division’s established fighters are scared of his son. Ennis wants the older champion to fight a less controversial or smaller name. Why risk everything against Ennis?

“I don’t think they’re avoiding me. I think they’re just trying to get around me,” said Jaron Ennis. I feel like I can’t keep it up. Who else are we going to fight? Only young people are left.”

Ennis believes his son would have already secured a shot had he worked with a promoter or signed with manager Al Haymon, a boxing power broker who tried to acquire Ennis. A professional career included a fight of the night where Philadelphia legend Boogaloo Watts scored his final win.

Jaron Ennis trained most of the last year despite having no matches and wondered if he needed to talk more. A match would probably make him world champion. But it’s not him, he said. Ennis are looking to win the world championship with their style.

“I speak in the ring,” said Ennis. “I’m more bitter. I bite, not bark.”

Ennis grew up in a gym and watching his father train local fighters. Her contenders include Coy Evans, Anthony Thompson, Demetrius Hopkins, Prince Buddy Ajam, and her older brothers Derek and Farah. .

Ever since Ennis was professionally sparring as a teenager, he’s told his father that he wanted to become a champion.

“My driving force comes from my family,” Ennis said. “That’s all we know. I’ve been around this boxing his game forever.”

The family’s first World Championships is fast approaching. And when he wins, Ennis said the belt will soon be wrapped around his dad’s waist.

“Take your last breath and slowly open your eyes,” Rahhamatullah said, and Ennis got up. “You’re done.”