Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is looking for an October/November tuning for his 154 pound debut: opponents undecided

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is training the expected tune-up training in October or November to debut on the 154. No opponents have been confirmed for Ennis (34-0, 30 Kos).

One of the problems former IBF and WBA welterweight champion Ennis has is that there are fewer incentives for the fighter and its promoters to face him. Without a world title, there is less incentive to face “boots” Ennis when fighters become a dangerous battle for them.

Boot Enis opponent search

Ennis and his team need Torki Aralsif to help them agree to fight him as his tune-up opponent, in order to secure a prominent fighter at the age of 154. He needs enough opponents to prepare him for a prominent clash with WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. in early 2026.

Other promoters, Toprank and PBC, are not keen to make the fighter available to use as tune-up opponents for Eddie Hearn-promoted boots Ennis, unless they are financially valuable. Fighting planes facing Ennis could be knocked out or beaten decisively in one-sided decisions. The value for the promoter is then reduced.

Ideal 154 tune-up opponent

– Keith Thurman: Potentially too expensive
– Charles Conwell
– Jesus Ramos
– Josh Kelly: Same style as Karen Chukazian
– Callum Walsh
– Tim Tweet

Fighters like former unified welterweight champion “One Time” Thurman, 36, may be unrealistic as he still considers himself a star. If Hearn can get Keith at a bargain price, he would be a good opponent Ennis will use for tuning up. However, Thurman’s older age and his small 5’7” frame are not ideal for preparing boots to fight true junior middleweights.

The 28-year-old Ennis recently has left the IBF and WBA welterweight titles freed as he has been having difficulty building weight and is unable to play a unified match between champions Mario Barrios and Brian Norman Jr.

High risk, low reward Enis

Move to 154 and it’s easier for Ennis to gain weight and fight bigger. What he and Hearn didn’t notice was how difficult it would be to oppose fighting him at 154 as he doesn’t hold the title. For them, the boots offer nothing, he is pure trouble. In other words, he is a high-risk, low-reward type fighter.