Tim Bradley Accuses Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis of Lacking the “Balls” to Take on Bigger Fights, Stating That His Actions Show a Lack of Trust in Himself

Tim Bradley says Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis doesn’t qualify as being the next GOAT [greatest of all time] like Shakur Stevenson because he’s not shown the courage to take the bigger fights when offered to him. Bradley states that Ennis lacks self-belief.

The GOAT Status Qualification

Boxing analyst and commentator Bradley states that Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) isn’t avoiding the likes of lightweight champion Shakur. He says ‘Boots’ has chosen not to accept fights against Teofimo Lopez, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Tim Tszyu in the past. He attributes that to Ennis lacking “balls.”

Ennis’s Lack of Courage

“He ain’t got balls. His actions have shown me that he don’t trust himself. The fighter is the boss, not the manager,” said Tim Bradley on his YouTube channel, downgrading Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. ”

“This man had so many opportunities to fight top fighters. He could have fought against Tim Tszyu and Teofimo Lopez. He didn’t do it. He could have fought against Vegil Ortiz. He didn’t do it. Why? No balls.”

Ennis has shown interest in fighting Terence Crawford, but he quickly left the 147-lb division after his win over what was left of Errol Spence after his 2019 high-speed car crash.

Crawford has shown no desire to fight Ennis, and his trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre’s comment last Sunday reflected this. Instead of just saying Crawford doesn’t want to fight ‘Boots,’ he twisted it around by saying it’s Ennis that doesn’t want to fight him.

“Then you got a guy like Shakur, who is calling everybody out, and nobody is picking up the phone,” said Bradley.

Shakur Stevenson’s Avoidance

Tim is a little off with his remark about fighters not wanting to face Shakur. Unbeaten lightweight contenders Andy Cruz and Jadier Herrera have both expressed interest in fighting him. Stevenson brushed off the callout by the Cuban knockout artist Herrera (17-0, 15 KOs).

It appears that Bradley hasn’t been keeping up with the news of Shakur’s career to know how he’s been maneuvered by his promoters and has ignored the threats from contenders who are pushing for fights against him. Tim sounds like he’s been sleeping under a rock for the last year, completely unaware of the avoidance and careful matchmaking that’s been done with Shakur.

Jadier Herrera Expressing Interest in Fighting Shakur:

When Shakur had the opportunity to fight the 23-year-old Jadier earlier this year on February 22nd, when Floyd Schofield pulled out of the fight at the last minute due to illness, he opted for the electrician Josh Padley as the replacement. What does that tell you?

“Shakur Stevenson turned [the] fight down! … I’m 100% ready,” said Herrera in March 2025 on YouTube.

Andy Cruz’s Relentless Pursuit

“I’m the gold standard in this division. Shakur, you know I’m coming for you. I’m ready to unify, to take those belts. Let’s see who’s the best at 135,: said Andy Cruz to Fight Hub TV following his knockout win over Hironori Mishiro on June 14, 2025.

What does this tell you? The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz has been chasing Shakur like a hungry predator, sending him fleeing to the 140-lb division to ease the pressure temporarily.