Having been linked to a potential clash with Jaron Ennis, Terence Crawford has considered whether ‘Boots’ will even win his next assignment against Josh Kelly.
The 29-year-old became a two-division unified champion in June, dethroning Xander Zayas with a seventh-round stoppage for the WBO and WBA world super-welterweight titles.
And while the Crawford fight has been discussed for quite some time, it seems Ennis’ primary goal is to become the undisputed king at 154lbs.
In order to do so, he must first dethrone IBF champion Kelly, who claimed his world title with a majority decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in January.
The Sunderland man then made a successful defence against Caoimhin Agyarko in July, albeit while sustaining a nasty cut over the bridge of his nose.
Having been afforded several months to recover, though, Kelly should be fully fit ahead of his assignment at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on February 27.
Yet despite expressing a degree of respect for Kelly, Crawford has told FightHype that he believes Ennis will ultimately get him out of there.
“I think Boots gonna stop him. It ain’t gonna go no more than seven [rounds]. No disrespect to Josh, I just think Boots is gonna do what he gonna do.”
If he emerges victorious against Kelly then Ennis is likely to face Sebastian Fundora, who retained his WBC title with a 12th-round knockout of Ermal Hadribeaj last month.
The winner of their potential showdown would then be crowned the undisputed king at 154lbs and, if it happens to be Ennis, a Crawford fight might suddenly become more realistic.
