Shakur Stevenson says Jaron Ennis still has to prove it

Stevenson wants to see Ennis face Vergil Ortiz Jr. or Fundora

Shakur Stevenson believes that Jaron Ennis has the talent to become one of boxing’s top prospects. However, in his opinion, he still needs a truly big win to prove it. A verbal exchange with Terence Crawford isn’t enough to do that at this point.

The two have been trading a few jabs on social media recently, until Terence Crawford asked if Jaron Ennis would actually fight him. He immediately replied, “Yes.” Afterward, however, Terence Crawford accused him of just using his name to avoid a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr.. Shakur Stevenson, however, sees little point in debating who won this verbal exchange. Instead, he wants to see Jaron Ennis prove himself against Vergil Ortiz Jr. or, for example, Sebastian Fundora.

“It’s two guys talking. At the end of the day, that don’t mean nothing on fight night. I think fans blow it up because they’re thirsty to see the fight. Bud obviously is at a higher level of status than Jaron Ennis. Jaron Ennis hasn’t really proved himself yet. The fight that I would like to see with Jaron Ennis is Vergil or Fundora. I already know he’s the truth, but I want him to go out there and show the world”

he told Fighthype.

This distinction is pretty important. Terence Crawford has fought in several weight classes and won several titles. Jaron Ennis certainly has everything he needs to follow that path, but the quality of his opponents so far hasn’t proven that yet. He needs a real win, like against Vergil Ortiz Jr. or Sebastian Fundora. Those would be two very exciting matchups. Shakur Stevenson didn’t mean to question Jaron Ennis’s abilities at all. In fact, he actually praised him and just wants to say that he still needs to prove himself one more time. What do you think, what kind of fight does Jaron Ennis need?

I think a bout against Vergil Ortiz Jr. could be exactly what he needs. I’d really love to see these two top-tier fighters go head-to-head. Vergil Ortiz Jr. would prove whether Jaron Ennis can handle a lot of pressure, and that’s exactly what makes it so interesting. I’d definitely be excited to see it.