Eddie Hearn Says Boots Ennis Is The Boxer Capable Of Beating Bud Crawford

Terence Crawford has established himself as the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world during his superfight with Canelo Alvarez, but promoter Eddie Hearn asserts there’s a fighter capable of defeating Bud — Jaron “Boots” Ennis!

TMZ Sports spoke with the renowned Matchroom Boxing promoter shortly before Eddie’s 28-year-old, undefeated fighter faces Uisma Lima Saturday night in front of a home crowd in Philadelphia.

The upcoming fight is crucial for several reasons — including Boots, currently at 34-0 (with 30 KOs), moving up to 154 lbs. for the first time — but Eddie is also eyeing several lucrative potential future fights.

“Naturally, my role is to advocate for my fighters, but I truly believe with Boots, we have the future pound-for-pound number one in the sport over the next several years. He’s still young. He’s a full decade younger than Terence Crawford, and he’s unified the 147-pound division. This Saturday, he steps up to challenge for the interim world title at 154,” Hearn told Babcock.

“We win this one. We have our sights on Virgil Ortiz. We want [Sebastian Fundora]. We want [Bakhram Murtazaliev]. Any fighter at [154]. I believe he can transition from [147] to [154] to [160] to [168]. He has that capability.”

Crawford fought Alvarez at 168 lbs. … and with fans eagerly anticipating a Bud-Boots showdown for years, we inquired whether it was on their agenda.

“For a long time, there’s been chatter about Ennis battling Crawford, right? We mustn’t undermine or discredit Terence’s extraordinary achievements. He is a genuinely generational talent in this sport. But if anyone can dethrone him, I believe we’ve got the right fighter,” Eddie stated.

Of course, Bud secured a monumental financial deal last month … so Eddie realizes they “must develop Ennis into a fighter whose financial draw would compel Crawford to accept the fight.”

If they can make the numbers work, Hearn is convinced it’s the match to make.

“Once we win Saturday, once we defeat an Ortiz or a Fundora, you tell me any other fights you want to see Terence Crawford in more than against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. I’m listening because that could likely be one of the most fantastic bouts ever.”

“And I’m confident we have the fighter capable of defeating the champion. He is the champion right now, and we acknowledge that. If he seeks a legitimate challenge, be prepared because Boots is on his way!”