Former welterweight world champion Tim Bradley recently offered some words of caution to undefeated prospect Jaron “Boots” Ennis. He advised Ennis to reconsider his pursuit of a match against current WBO titleholder Terence “Bud” Crawford. Bradley, who is respected for his honest and straightforward analysis, firmly believes that Crawford is on an entirely different level and might just be too strong for Ennis at this point in his career.
Bradley stated assertively, “Tim Bradley tells Ennis STOP chasing Crawford fight; he’s a DIFFERENT level!” Undoubtedly, this piece of advice originated from Bradley’s keen understanding and in-depth knowledge of both fighters. He perceives a significant disparity in skillset and experience.
Bradley (33-2, 13 KOs) himself has a history of epic fight nights against the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. His tireless, spirited, aggressive yet analytical approach to fights earned him a unique place in welterweight history. Active as a pundit since his retirement in 2016, Bradley’s analytical insights are highly regarded as he is certain to have carefully considered his views on potential Crawford vs. Ennis bout.
Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs), a three-division world champion, who ranks among the top pound-for-pound boxers, has been unstoppable in his career thus far. His technical brilliance, coupled with his ruthless finishing ability, has seen him emerge as an intimidating force in the division.
Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs), on the other hand, is an exciting rising talent. His boxing ability, speed, and power have drawn him praise from boxing insiders. However, his lack of experience against seasoned elites is obvious. Despite his impressive knockout record, the absence of big names in his list of conquered foes leaves questions about how he would fare against a colossus like Crawford.
Bradley’s assertions do not mean to undermine Ennis’ talent or potential. It is rather a sober analysis derived from the difference in the level of opposition each fighter has faced, and the degree of difficulty encountered in those fights,” states Bradley. Putting Ennis up against Crawford might be ill-timed, potentially risking the promising young fighter’s momentum.
Crawford, also being a southpaw, adds another dimension to this discussion. Ennis, predominantly an orthodox fighter, has shown capacity to switch stance but has never faced a southpaw with Crawford’s skill and experience. This could prove to be a significant challenge. Bradley advises Ennis to potentially gain more experience facing other southpaws before taking on Crawford.
That being said, the world of boxing and its fans love an underdog story. It would be a thrilling narrative if Ennis defies the odds and proves Bradley wrong. The boxing community is split on how a potential clash between Crawford and Ennis would pan out, but all agree that it would surely make for a spectacular bout.
Despite Bradley’s warning, Ennis’s aspirations to confront Crawford remain unwavered. After all, fearless ambition is a characteristic appreciated and often rewarded in the sport of boxing. And who knows? Perhaps Ennis will be the one to hand Crawford his first professional defeat. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – such a match between the decorated veteran and the audacious prospect would be one for the ages.
