1. Shawn Porter’s Advice for Jaron Ennis
Podcaster and former boxer Shawn Porter believes that the path to stardom for Jaron “Boots” Ennis lies in frequent fights and staying active in the ring. Porter emphasizes that Ennis should not worry about the fame of his opponents but focus on building a record of consistent victories to catch the public’s eye.
2. The Gennadiy Golovkin Model
Porter suggests that Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) should follow the example set by Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, who gained widespread recognition by fighting frequently and decisively defeating his opponents. Golovkin’s strategy of maintaining a high activity level early in his career paid off, eventually leading to significant exposure and lucrative deals with networks like HBO.
3. Limited Opportunities Against Big Names
Despite Ennis’ impressive record, Porter acknowledges that certain high-profile fights, such as a bout with Terence Crawford, are unlikely to materialize. Crawford, at 36 years old, has limited fights left in his career and seems uninterested in taking on Ennis, focusing instead on other targets like Canelo Alvarez.
4. Alternative Big Names: Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Porter points out that, aside from Crawford, there are few big-name opponents available for Ennis. Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs) would be a notable contender, but organizational politics and promotional interests make this match-up unlikely. Ortiz’s promoters, Golden Boy Promotions, are not keen on risking their fighter against Ennis.
5. Strategy: Knockouts and Frequent Fights
Porter’s strategy for Ennis is clear: keep fighting and keep winning by knockout. He believes that staying busy and consistently achieving knockouts will build Ennis’ reputation among casual boxing fans, even if they are unfamiliar with his opponents. This approach mirrors Golovkin’s early career, where frequent victories built his star power.
6. The Issue with Staying at 147 Pounds
Porter also suggests that Ennis could expedite his rise to stardom by moving up to 154 pounds. Remaining at 147 to unify titles could be a slower path due to the relative obscurity of the current champions in that division—Mario Barrios, Brian Norman Jr., and Eimantas Stanionis—who lack widespread recognition and popularity.
7. Historical Comparisons and Career Strategies
Sean Zittel, another podcast host, supports Porter’s viewpoint by drawing parallels to Golovkin’s career, emphasizing that frequency and performance matter more than the fame of opponents. He believes Ennis should prioritize staying active and visible to the public.
8. Challenges with Broadcasting and Promotion
While the idea of fighting four to five times a year is attractive, practical challenges exist. Ennis’ association with DAZN means he would need to find enough fight dates within their schedule. This might require him to accept fights on undercards, a compromise he may not be willing to make given his current standing.
9. Overcoming Inactivity and Contract Issues
Ennis’ recent inactivity, with a year-long gap between fights, was partly due to the shutdown of Showtime Boxing, which left him without a promotional platform. His match against David Avanesyan on July 13th marked his return to the ring, highlighting the need for consistent activity to maintain momentum.
10. The Road Ahead for Ennis
For Jaron Ennis, the future involves a careful balance of strategic fights and maintaining a high activity level. By following Porter’s blueprint, Ennis can build his brand and become a mega-PPV star, much like Golovkin did. The key will be to stay busy, keep winning impressively, and take every opportunity to showcase his skills to the boxing world.
