Comments Thread For: Fighting Words: Boots Ennis' and Bam Rodriguez's current obligations and future temptations

[Elheath]

Interestingly, there is a somewhat realistic chance Bam might fight in Japan atleast once during 2025 despite there being no Japanese beltholders at 115 at the moment.

WBA belt: If Martinez defeats Ioka again on December, then the obvious route would be to attempt to do an unification with Puma in US, but the WBA interim fight with David Jimenez would have to happen as well because he's long overdue and his 2025 will likely end with just two belts unified, WBC and WBA and the mandatory for WBA. If Ioka wins, either he'll retire or he'll end up fighting Jimenez on his usual June/July card and an unification won't happen until NYE of 2025 at the earliest if at all. And if its Ioka, even though Bam would be rated higher he'll likely have to go to Japan because Ioka is at the age in his career where he's not going to fight what is likely his final NYE retirement match outside Japan. Martinez = US. Ioka = Japan.

IBF: It is rumored that Willibardo Garcia and Rene Calixto (promoted by Kameda) are fighting for the vacant belt in December in Japan, which I'm guessing is due to Kameda planning to place it together with Nishida's defense against Donsua on Dec. 15. Bam can only hope that Eddie is willing to throw a lot of money at Garcia and his promotor to make him face Bam for a cash out, and/or be willing to travel to Japan if facing Calixto since Kameda would want a big name star to come to his card. Garcia = US. Calixto = Japan.

WBO: Cafu may or may not do a rematch with Tanaka, but given that the first fight was razor close it would be a valid rematch plus it actually would be the best risk vs reward he could get for his next fight. No offense to him but unless he just really wants to do a welcome home gimme voluntary defense at his home or something against a lower ranked unknown for peanuts, the best defense would be a rematch against Tanaka on one of Teiken's Amazon Prime cards in Japan yet again. Tanaka in Japan would be a far less risk than facing Bam or Martinez in the US and will likely be just as much, if not more money given that he'll get paid the beltholder "A-side" money this time, where he'll still be the "B-side" against Bam/Martinez while having a much bigger risk of losing the belt. Not impossible to get Cafu with enough money, but no clue either way as of right now. Cafu = US. Tanaka = Japan.

For Bam's sake, the fastest route would be going for Cafu first thing in 2025 then Garcia with enough money to get 3 of the 4 belts, then hope that the owner of the WBA belt is finished with the mandatory interim fight with Jimenez then go for undisputed. If any of them go back to Ioka/Tanaka or Calixto (due to promotor being Japanese) it will take likely through 2026.

[BrankoB]

Those who think Boots is the most avoided fighter in the sport should ask a question. Why is Bam fighting every legend and everyone is willing to fight Bam ?

[Elheath]

Fighters avoid Boots because he is good, like Bakole. No promoter can change this.

As Saudi showed the past year, in the end it is the money. If the money is worth facing a good fighter, they will do it.

Even if Eddie can't throw around Turki money, I still think Boots should be willing to accept a discount on himself to give more to the other guy if he's trying to face someone that a win against will give him non-financial benefit.

[LAchargers373]

Really? Could you get him any fights? With every separate alphabet soup group wanting their champ to remain so... With no fighter wanting to risk it, what exactly should Ennis do?

Go to 154 everyone there will fight him and isn’t a bum like the chumps he wants to “unify” against. He’s a 30 year old prospect dude needs to fight someone his career is a joke rn. Ortiz jr tyszu the eastern bloc euros fundora they would all fight ennis. Instead he stays at 147 trying to unify against barrios lmao. Ya same barrios that tank (130 lb champ) KTFO. Just a wasted career

[LAchargers373]

Fighters avoid Boots because he is good, like Bakole. No promoter can change this.

Who’s avoiding ennis though? This is a myth. He was in line to become Crawford’s mando with the WBO and he he dropped out of the rankings to become the WBC #1 contender instead knowing Spence wasn’t gonna fight at 147 again after Crawford lol. I was a big ennis fan but the guy talks a lot of nonsense and his actions have shown different than what his mouth says. Even now he won’t commit to 154 and move up he’d rather beat up Karen’s on matchroom cards lol. Literally the next Demetrius andrade

[Elheath]

Been said many times...go up to 154 and challenge for the IBF beltholder.

If Boots was truly good and the next P4P like some are praising him via the eye test only, he should be able to defeat Murtazaliev. If Crawford and Fundora are unwilling to unify with him, then he's still got guys like Madrimov, Bohachuk, Ortiz and other contenders that can make him suddenly very proven and not just an eye test.

[jockpunk]

Those who think Boots is the most avoided fighter in the sport should ask a question. Why is Bam fighting every legend and everyone is willing to fight Bam ?

Two reason. 1. The guys bam fights are wtih promotional companies that actually want to make good fights, unlike the pbc which is who boots is mostly going to have to deal with it. The second reason is that there is not much money at those light weight classes so guys have to fight each other.

[BrankoB]

Two reason. 1. The guys bam fights are wtih promotional companies that actually want to make good fights, unlike the pbc which is who boots is mostly going to have to deal with it. The second reason is that there is not much money at those light weight classes so guys have to fight each other.

These sound like excuses that will keep Boots on the shelf forever with no meaningful fights on his resume.

[LAchargers373]

Two reason. 1. The guys bam fights are wtih promotional companies that actually want to make good fights, unlike the pbc which is who boots is mostly going to have to deal with it. The second reason is that there is not much money at those light weight classes so guys have to fight each other.

They refused to pay Brian Norman. That literally sums it up. They won’t pay for a legit fight. Contact GBP and get stainaois they both DAZN fighters but nope lol. Move up get the IBF shot at 154 vs Murtazaliev But nope to that too lol. He literally waiting around to fight barrios. Thats his target. Which is weak af. He’ll claim he’s “unifying 147” and wants to become “undisputed” but there’s no one that cares because 147 is an absolute joke now

[BlackRobb]

Really? Could you get him any fights? With every separate alphabet soup group wanting their champ to remain so... With no fighter wanting to risk it, what exactly should Ennis do?

He could go where the smoke is, 154. But that would be too risky for Boots & Bozo Ennis. If he really wanted to unify and become undisputed, he doesn't sign with Eddie.