{"id":849056,"date":"2026-08-09T11:32:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T11:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/849056\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T11:32:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T11:32:17","slug":"terence-crawford-names-the-man-who-will-give-jaron-ennis-his-toughest-fight-hell-be-in-his-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/849056\/","title":{"rendered":"Terence Crawford names the man who will give Jaron Ennis his toughest fight: “He’ll be in his face”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Terence Crawford<\/a> believes Jaron Ennis<\/a> could encounter his toughest test against a non-champion, rather than in a unification match against Sebastian Fundora or Josh Kelly.<\/p>\n

\u2018Boots\u2019 became a two-division unified champion in June, dethroning Xander Zayas with a seventh-round stoppage<\/a> for the WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles.<\/p>\n

As a result, many now view Ennis as the top dog at 154lbs, or at least superior to remaining world champions Fundora and Kelly.<\/p>\n

It could be argued, however, that Fundora and Kelly claimed their respective WBC and IBF belts against more proven champions than Zayas, who seemingly has a bright future but lacks world-level seasoning.<\/p>\n

Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev, on the other hand, had already proven themselves against several worthy contenders by the time they respectively fought \u2018The Towering Inferno\u2019 and \u2018The Pretty Boy\u2019.<\/p>\n

But while Fundora, in particular, is seen as a genuine threat to Ennis\u2019 supremacy, Crawford has suggested that Vergil Ortiz Jr represents the American\u2019s most formidable rival.<\/p>\n

Speaking with ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT<\/a>, \u2018Bud\u2019 explained how Ortiz\u2019s attributes are typically more effective than those of Fundora.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey both are [tough opponents]. But, for me, I\u2019ll say Vergil [is tougher]. Fundora leaves the door open to getting caught.<\/p>\n

\u201cFundora is definitely getting better but Vergil \u2013 he\u2019s going to be in your face; he\u2019s going to have his hands up; he\u2019s going to be jabbing you with a stiff jab, going to your body.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Fundora, he wants to get on the inside. He\u2019s tall but he don\u2019t want to fight you on the outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Fundora, despite standing at 6ft 6in, does have a tendency to trade in the pocket, he did show signs of genuine improvement while boxing at range against Keith Thurman<\/a> in March.<\/p>\n