(Interview: Declan Warrington)
BN: You were probably the hottest free agent in the world. Why did you choose Matchroom as your partner?
JE: This was the best decision for me right now. I know that Eddie will support me 100 percent and I will give 100 percent and we will do well, we are a power duo.There were many [of rival offers].
Now I'll be undisputed, I'll collect all the belts, I'll be famous.Mega Superstar – So You [rivals] I can't say no to anything.
BN: How much of an influence was your relationship with your friend Andy Crews?
JE: I like the way Andy moves. I like what they've done for him and how they treat him. He speaks positively about them.
BN: What about how well they advertise geographically? Have you previously told Boxing News about your desire to fight in your hometown of Philadelphia?
JE: It's very important – knowing that I'm going to fight in Philadelphia. It's been a long time – about 6 years. The last time we fought in Philadelphia, we sold out the venue. It seemed to be standing room only, and there was barely anything inside. I can't wait. That's what Philadelphia needs. That's something Philadelphia has been lacking, and this will be the first big game in Philadelphia in a while. I needed a proper return home.
I feel like there will be some big fights after all. [destined for Philadelphia], but I'd rather be the first. That's all that matters.
BN: It was nine months ago that you fought impressively and stopped Roiman Villa. Why has it become less prominent since then?
JE: Just understanding things, that's all. Just thinking about things. [I bought a house in late 2023] A suburb of Philadelphia. I mean, it's nice to have a space to myself – it's just what I needed. it was good.
BN: The IBF has named you champion since you last fought…
JE: It's definitely not what I wanted. You know, it's better to get it from someone else. There's nothing I can do. I couldn't say no. I couldn't say “yes”. They just elevated me. There's nothing I can do but I'm going to protect my belt and do what I have to do.I don't really care what anyone says [laughs] – I’m not going to lie. I don’t care what social media says. I don't care about that.
BN: Do you consider yourself a champion?
JE: I've been a champion since birth.
BN: The IBF stripped Terrence Crawford of the title because you were the mandatory challenger, but he said he was committed to a rematch with Errol Spence. How frustrated are you to see the rematch not happen?
JE: I wanted that fight. It definitely was – not frustrating, but weird. “I don't know what's going on.” Boxing is a strange game, but at the end of the day, there's nothing you can really do.I'm not going to control it because you can't control it [try].
BN: Did you come to the conclusion that Crawford didn't want to fight you?
JE: You said it yourself. [laughs]. That's it.
BN: Is it possible that Saudi Arabia's investment in boxing and its growing influence could still lead to a matchup between the two of you?
JE: Of course it would be a big fight. I've always said that location doesn't matter. As long as I'm fighting, I just love fighting.You can see [the way that investment is changing the sport] – You can say that.
surely [I’m Crawford’s toughest potential opponent].I didn't know how he was going to jump. [to super middleweight to potentially fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez]. I didn't understand how he could jump so much weight. I didn't feel any kind of way.That's not really the case. [a mismatch] – Canelo started at 154, but Canelo is not that big of a guy.
BN: Is he the best fighter in the world?
JE: That's right.
BN: Next up is Cody Crowley…
JE: I'm just sitting here waiting. I'll be sitting here waiting until they give me the go. he's a good fighter. But I really don’t care – I don’t care who it is. I just want to fight in the ring — get back in the ring. Get back to doing what you do best. I just want that fight to come.
BN: Along with Crawford and Spence, who do you think will be your long-term rival?
JE: It was Virgil Ortiz.I think he moved up [to light middleweight]. He was trying to stay with the division, so I think Virgil and I are still there.I will definitely go up to 154 [in future]surely.