Brian Norman Sr. trashed Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for not having fought any big fights during his career in 35 fights. He points out that his son, WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. is about to have his first big fight against Devin Haney on November 22nd.
Ennis’s Lack of Big Fights
The 24-year-old Norman Jr. is four years younger than the 28-year-old Boots Ennis, and he’s already surpassing him. He sees it as a lack of ambition on his part.
“I want to fight all the names. Teofimo? I’ll fight him in a heartbeat,’” said trainer Brian Norman Sr. to MillCity Boxing, talking about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. “He wants to fight all the big names, but he still hasn’t fought a big name yet. We are about to fight a big name [Devin Haney] before he’s fought a big name, and he’s had 35 fights.”
Norman Jr. is noting the same thing about Boots Ennis that a lot of fans have. He’s not taking the big fights that are offered to him, and coming up with excuses. Didn’t want to stay at 147 to fight Norman Jr. He could have sweetened the pot with some of his own money when his promoter, Eddie Hearn, didn’t want to increase the offer from $1.7 million to $2.2 million to get the Norman Jr. unification fight made in 2024. Now, Ennis is moving up to 154, and already rejected fights against Teofimo Lopez and Vergil Ortiz Jr. He’s reportedly going to be taking some tune-up fights.
“He’s 28 years old. We signed up for our third fight this year, and he only fought one. He didn’t want to wait for somebody, and he’s still waiting,” said Norman Sr. about Boots Ennis. “What are you waiting on? They got to find a way to spin it because he ain’t going to say nothing. The man [Ennis] doesn’t talk a lot, but when he does, it’s inconsistent.”
Money Changed “Boots” Ennis?
Boots Ennis had initially seemed ambitious about his career, wanting to accomplish a lot. Something changed in him. He’s rejecting fights left and right, and now fighting as often as he should. Could it be the money he’s made? Ennis is now a millionaire, set for life, and may no longer feel the same hunger he once had before becoming wealthy.
“We’re about to end this,” said Norman Sr. about Devin Haney. “They’re [Team Haney] looking for a reason [to get out of the fight]. Don’t give them a reason,’ said Norman Sr. about the VADA testing.
It’s good that Norman Jr. realized that he needed to follow Bill and Devin’s directions to begin the VADA testing now. They couldn’t afford to take the risk of them using this as an excuse to back out of the fight. Many fans believe that the Haney’s never wanted this fight in the first place, and they’re looking for any reason to get out of it.
“Even though we haven’t gotten the money yet for Devin Haney, $1.7 [million] sounds so low now,” said Norman Sr., comparing the offer he was given by Boots Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, for a unification fight last year.
Norman Jr. needs to win this fight against Haney and look good in doing so if he wants to keep getting the nice paydays in Riyadh Season events. If Brian Jr. looks sensational in victory, he’ll likely be invited to Turki Alalahikh’s other events. A knockout win over Haney is what he needs.
“When I hear 1.7, I just laugh. Now, in my mind, it should have been a lot more than 1.7. Comparing it to what we’re getting now for Devin Haney, a non-champion. The fight [Boots Ennis] was worth more than $1.7 million,” said Norman Sr.
It would be interesting to know how much Norman Jr. is getting paid for his title defense against Haney on November 22nd. For Brian Sr. to be talking the way he is, it sounds like he’s getting a huge purse well above the offer that Hearn made last year.
Hearn’s Lowball Ennis Offer
It’s hard to believe now that Hearn only offered WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. $1.7 million for a unification fight against Boots Ennis. He wouldn’t bump up the offer to $2.2 million, which showed how little interest he had in making that fight. Hearn’s pockets aren’t as deep as Turki Alalshikh.
Still, it’s surprising that Hearn wasn’t willing to invest in Boots to help make him a more popular fighter. He needed that unification fight because he lacks the charisma to sell his fights outside of the ring with his personality the way some fighters do.
Last Updated on 07/23/2025
Read the full article here