Terence Crawford says he would be open to facing welterweight rival Jaron Ennis if the opportunity presented itself in the future.
Ennis, unbeaten in 29 professional fights, is the number two ranked contender with the WBO behind current world champion, Crawford.
‘Boots’ has drawn comparisons with Crawford due to his ability to switch between the orthodox and southpaw stances and ‘Bud’ believes the Philadpenhia man will be tough to beat, welcoming a future showdown.
“Boots is a tremendous, talented guy,” the 34-year-old said to the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel.
“I’ve been watching him in the amateurs like I was watching Errol Spence.
“Very talented, [can] go both ways. He’s very strong, knows boxing.
“He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. Me and him, later down the line, if that comes on my table and that’s the right fight for me, I’m taking it all.”
Ennis dispatched of Custio Clayton in two rounds in May and ‘Bud’ feels his compatriot has proven that he would be able to compete with the elite of the division.
“Personally, if I was handling him, I would [do] whatever he wants to do at this point in time.
“He’s proven that he belongs in the top echelon with the fights that he’s fought. He deserves a shot.
“Not saying that he’s beat an elite fighter yet in the welterweight division, but the guys that he has fought to get him to this point right now, he’s passed the test with flying colours.
“We’ll never know until he gets in there with the likes of the elite.”
Crawford is reportedly closing on a long-awaited undisputed title clash with unbeaten WBC, WBA ‘super’ and IBF titlist, Errol Spence Jr, with ESPN’s Mike Coppinger recently reporting that he expects the fight to take place in November in Las Vegas.
A fight between the pair has so far failed to materialise, arguably due to both men previously being with different promoters and networks, with Spence Jr aligned with Premier Boxing Champions fighting on FOX and SHOWTIME, whilst Crawford was with Top Rank and fought on ESPN, prior to his contract expiring after his win over common opponent Shawn Porter in November and the Omaha man became a free agent.
The three-weight world champion believes the time is now right for the pair to finally meet with all four belts at stake.
“I don’t see any way this fight doesn’t happen.”@MikeCoppinger believes Spence-Crawford is on the brink of being finalized. pic.twitter.com/ZuousOmQRd
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) July 15, 2022
“I do believe this is the perfect time,” he added.
“Being that it’s for all the marbles, it’s for undisputed.
“This is a big moment not only for myself but for Errol Spence Jr to make history in his own right.”
