Hearn Eyes Crawford Vs. Ennis Mega-Fight After Successful Philadelphia Event

Promoter Eddie Hearn discussed the desire of the Honorable Turki Alalshikh to fight big fights in the sport.

(Source: Melina Pizano/Game Room)

Hearn says the crowd of 14,000 that showed up last Saturday night for IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ defense against David Avanesyan at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, showed how the city wants to see games involving Ennis.

Boots (32-0, 29 KOs) defeated Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KOs) by fifth-round stoppage. The doctor in the ring chose to advise that the fight be stopped after the end of the fifth round due to the condition of Avanesyan’s face, with his left eye and cheek swollen.

Alalshikh’s interest in Crawford vs. Ennis Fight

Hearn says Honorable Mention watched the Ennis-Avanesyan fight and would have liked a fight between Ennis, 27, and Terence Crawford. That’s a match Hearn would rather take place now against Boots Ennis than wait until after the Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight.

It’s understandable why Hearn wants Crawford to fight Ennis now. The game could mean a lot if Terence is undefeated.

If he moves up two weight classes from 154 to 168, his chances of success against Canelo will be slim. It’s a big jump in weight for an old striker like Crawford, especially since he didn’t get used to the division first. In addition, some believe that Crawford’s angle of seeking the Canelo fight is a retirement payday.

Once he gets that, he’ll have enough to hang up the gloves and won’t want to risk the inevitable against a young lion like Bots Ennis, who is considered his best version.

“He wants to make the biggest fights. He watched tonight and saw one of the biggest crowds in America this year. Over 14,000 were here tonight. It was unbelievable,” said Eddie Hearn on iFL TV about the Honorable Turki Alalshikh, watching the huge crowd for the Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs. David Avanesyan last Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Hearn hasn’t said if he’d like to make a Crawford vs. Ennis in Philadelphia or elsewhere, such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Crawford would likely stop fighting Ennis in his hometown of Philadelphia. He will feel like the A-side because of his high achievements and the only successful PPV event against Errol Spence Jr. last year in July 2023.

“He looked pound for pound [Boots Ennis]. He likes big fights,” Hearn said of Turki. “I think he would be very interested in fighting Crawford [with Ennis]. We have plans at 147, but at the same time, that’s a big fight, one of the biggest in boxing.

“The brother spoke to Turki and said, ‘Send me the contract.’ That is the battle they want to do; if he [Crawford] it goes through Israel Madrimov, then we will be open to discuss it,” said Hearn.

Crawford’s Challenge Against Madrimov

Crawford must win his fight against WBA junior middleweight champion Israel Madrimov on August 3 at BMO Stadium in Philadelphia.

The 36-year-old is moving up in weight, fighting in his fourth division after a long streak of victories, celebrating his victory over Errol Spence Jr. last year.

Could Crawford face fighting in his fourth weight class, long out of work, and approaching 40 years of age? He has a lot going for him to win this fight against Madrimov.

“Not senses. He’s been out for a year,” Hearn said when asked if Boot Ennis seemed nervous during the Avanesyan fight. “At the same time, he’s fighting a world-class fighter, playing with him. He was sitting on the ropes, banging, shooting.”

Boots were sitting nearby, fighting Avanesyan’s battle, and trying to please his fans. It is obvious that he knew that he would not be able to box Avanesyan and ended up being criticized and shouted at by the fans.

No Worries About Avanesyan’s Durability

“I knew Ava [Avanesyan] he wouldn’t have gone out like that because he’s a quality fighter,” Hearn said when asked if he was worried that there would be no contest after injuring Avanesyan with a low cut during the fight.