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Boxing

Three possible opponents for Jaron Ennis after defeating Karen Chukhadzhian, but 'Boots' has a decision to make first

Three possible opponents for Jaron Ennis after defeating Karen Chukhadzhian, but 'Boots' has a decision to make firstAmanda Westcott/Matchroom Boxing
Has "Boots," the reigning IBF welterweight champion, reached a fork in the road?

In the immediate aftermath of defeating Karen Chukhadzhian by unanimous decision Saturday night, Jaron Ennis assessed his performance and began to ponder a possible move up to junior middleweight.

"My performance ... it was OK," Ennis, the reigning IBF welterweight world champion, told DAZN's Chris Mannix Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. "I don't know, man ... I think it might be time to go to 154. I feel like at 154 I'm going to be way better and my pop is going to be how it's supposed to be."

But moments later, he also expressed his other option of remaining at 147 pounds and trying to unify titles there.

"If we could we get one of these guys to stop playing, let's make it happen," Ennis tacked on. "But if not, then 154, here I come."

In defeating Chukhadzhian for the second time via unanimous decision in over a year, Ennis won comfortably, knocking the Ukrainian down in the fifth round, but was also hit too much for his liking.

Whether he stays at welterweight or moves up to junior middleweight, Ennis will certainly have options — some of which were discussed by he and his promoter Eddie Hearn on Saturday night.

Here, DAZN takes a look at three possible opponents for "Boots" following his latest win.

Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Hearn told DAZN's Mannix that when it comes to Ennis vs. Ortiz, "it's really a case of just making the fight. We're ready to go for February 22."

During the post-fight press conference, he also called it "one of the best fights out there."

Oscar De La Hoya, Ortiz's promoter, also took to his X account and directed a message to Turki Alalshikh in calling for a "5vs 5 Goldenboy Matchroom Main event @VergilOrtiz vs Boots Ennis."

Such a clash would put two undefeated fighters in their prime against each other and it would allow Ennis (33-0, 29 knockouts) the chance to move up to 154 pounds and challenge for the WBC interim junior middleweight title that Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs) owns.

What a fight it would be as the potential matchup would mesh Ennis' blend of boxing brilliance and power against Ortiz' relentless motor and knockout artistry.

Terence Crawford

Ennis and Hearn have doubled down on saying they want to put "Boots" in the ring with the best.

And when it comes to 154 pounds, and arguably the sweet science, period, it doesn't get much better than Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), the sport's pound-for-pound king and reigning WBA junior middleweight champion.

Crawford has previously questioned what accepting a challenge from "Boots" would mean to him at this stage of his career, though he hasn't been able to secure the Canelo Alvarez fight that he's been coveting.

So perhaps there is a chance for Crawford vs. Ennis at 154 pounds in the near future.

Eimantas Stanionis

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While the first two options would have Ennis moving up to junior middleweight, Hearn did acknowledge at least one possible suitor for "Boots" at 147 and that's Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs), the WBA welterweight world champion.

That possible bout would give Ennis a title unification bout that could very well keep him happy and staying put at welterweight.