Promoter Eddie Hearn spoke about His Excellency Turki Ararcik's desire to make a major bout in the sport.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Hearn said the crowd of 14,000 that turned out for IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis' title defense against David Avanesyan last Saturday night at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center showed how eager the city is to see a sporting event involving Ennis.
Boots (32-0, 29 KOs) defeated Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KOs) by fifth-round stoppage. The ringside doctor recommended the fight be stopped after the fifth round due to Avanesyan's facial condition and swelling around his left eye and cheek.
Alarczyk interested in Crawford vs. Ennis fight
Hearn said his excellency watched the Ennis vs. Avanesyan fight and said he would like to see a fight between the 27-year-old Ennis and Terence Crawford. Hearn would like the Booty-Ennis fight to happen now, rather than waiting until Crawford faces Canelo Alvarez.
It's understandable that Hearn wants Crawford to fight for Ennis now, and the fight would make a lot more sense if Terence was still unbeaten.
Moving up two weight classes from 154 to 168 would make it unlikely that he could beat Canelo, as the weight class difference is too big for an older fighter like Crawford, especially when he's new to the division. Additionally, some believe the only reason Crawford wants to fight Canelo is for the retirement bonus.
Once he has it, he will be strong enough to hang up the gloves and won't want to take the inevitable risks against a young lion like Boots Ennis, who is considered a better version of himself.
“He wants to have the biggest fights. He saw the fight tonight and he saw one of the biggest crowds in America this year. Over 14,000 people were here tonight. It's unbelievable,” Eddie Hearn told iFL TV about His Excellency Turki Alarcik after seeing the massive turnout for Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. David Avanesyan at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia last Saturday night.
Hearn did not say whether he wanted to hold the Crawford-Ennis fight in Philadelphia or elsewhere, such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Crawford would likely feel uncomfortable fighting Ennis in his hometown of Philadelphia. Crawford would likely feel he is the A-side due to his excellent track record and the success of his lone PPV event last year against Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023.
“He's a pound-for-pound great. [Boots Ennis]”He loves great fighters,” Hearn said of Turki. “I think he'd be very interested in fighting Crawford.” [with Ennis]I’m planning on fighting at 147 pounds, but at the same time, it’s one of the biggest fights in boxing, it’s a huge fight.
“Boot said to Turki: ‘Send me the contract.’ What they want is a fight. [Crawford] “If we can get past Israel Madrimov, we are open to discussing it,” Hahn said.
Crawford's challenge to Madrimov
Crawford must win his bout against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on Aug. 3 at BMO Stadium in Philadelphia.
The 36-year-old will be moving up in weight to compete in his fourth weight class after capping a long winning streak with a win over Errol Spence Jr. last year.
Can Crawford, approaching 40 and coming off a long break, handle a fight in a fourth weight class? There are a lot of factors at stake in this fight against Madrimov.
“It wasn't nerves. He hadn't fought in a year,” Hearn said when asked if Boots Ennis looked nervous against Avanesyan. “At the same time, he was fighting a world-class fighter and he was kind of toying with him, sitting on the ropes, messing around, throwing punches.”
Boots was right there with Avanesyan, challenging him to a fight and trying to entertain the fans, and he obviously knew that boxing Avanesyan would likely result in criticism and booing from the fans.
No concerns about Avanesyan's resilience
“I knew Ava. [Avanesyan] When asked if he was worried the bout would be declared a no contest after he hurt Avanesyan with a low blow during the bout, Hearn replied: “He's a good fighter and he's not going to run away like that.”
