Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis finds himself with a mandatory defense looming on the horizon. The IBF has ordered the undefeated welterweight champion to defend his title against Cody Crowley. Negotiations between the two camps are set to begin within a 30-day period starting January 31.
“IBF Welterweight Champion Jaron Ennis, crowned on November 28, 2023, is required to defend his title by March 28, 2024,” stated IBF championship chairman Carols Ortiz in a letter obtained by Boxing Scene. “The leading available contender is #3 Cody Crowley.”
The negotiations, overseen by Ennis’ father and trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis due to his ongoing legal battle with NOW Boxing Promotions, will involve TGB Promotions’ Tom Brown as the point of contact for Crowley.
The mandated fight comes as a surprise to many, as the sanctioning body had previously ordered a final eliminator between Karen Chukhadzhian and Harry Scarff. However, Wasserman Boxing won the purse bid for that bout.
Ennis, with a record of 31-0, 28 KOs, was expected to have a voluntary defense, but the IBF ruling has locked him into the mandatory fight with Crowley. Both fighters are required to comply to avoid disciplinary action.
Crowley, hailing from Ontario with a record of 22-0, 9 KOs, has been relatively inactive, with only one fight per year for the past four years. Despite his frustration over the lack of significant opportunities, he now faces the biggest challenge of his career against Ennis.
Ennis, coming off a tenth-round knockout victory over Roiman Villa, aims to defend his title once again in what promises to be an intriguing matchup against Crowley.
