Promoter Eddie Hearn was disappointed when IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis couldn’t secure a unification deal to fight WBO champ Brian Norman Jr., despite offering around $1.5 million which was turned down by Norman Jr. and his team.
Hearn believed the offer was generous and felt Norman Jr. made a mistake rejecting it. He thought it was a missed opportunity, as Norman Jr., 23, may not receive such a substantial offer again in his career. As a result, Ennis will now defend his title against IBF mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian on November 9th in Philadelphia.
The setback of not being able to make the potential Ennis-Norman fight happen highlights the importance of paying champions like Norman Jr., Barrios, and Stanionas what they ask for to ensure future fights can be arranged quickly.
Hearn’s difficulties in negotiating with champions like Stanionis and Barrios suggest the need for a more diplomatic approach in future dealings. Ennis may need to revise his goal of becoming undisputed champion given Hearn’s apparent hesitation to invest in the necessary fights.
Conclusively, Hearn is facing challenges in setting up competitive matches for Ennis due to his reluctance to meet the financial demands of champions. This ongoing saga emphasizes the importance of strategic negotiation and a focus on long-term planning in the sport.
