Perfection is something that all fighters shoot for. And while it’s impossible to obtain, Jaron "Boots" Ennis is getting closer and closer.
Ennis had it all clicking just a few weeks ago. Pernicious power, devious footwork, and crafty ring IQ. All of it was on display as
he dismantled Eimantas Stanionis via sixth-round corner stoppage in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Once it was all said and done, Ennis began eyeing the rest of the welterweight division. Making an inconsequential title defense doesn’t interest him but grabbing a few more straps does. Currently, Ennis would be favored over anyone in his weight class. But while some view him as a dominant figure with flawless technique and skills, Henry Garcia believes he has one part of his game that he needs to shore up.
“The thing is, I think he gets hit a little bit too much,” said Garcia to FightHub TV. “I think he should work on his defense but overall, he’s a sensational fighter.”
Ironically enough, Garcia’s son, Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), has been criticized in the past for his own defensive issues. Still, that hasn’t stopped him from walking through most of his competition.
Fresh off the back of a win against Devin Haney that was ultimately overturned due to a failed post-fight drug test, Garcia is set to return on May 2nd. When he does, he’ll be facing both a new opponent and a new weight class.
Officially, the 26-year-old will move up to 147 pounds to take on Rolando "Rolly" Romero in New York City.
At the moment, Garcia sleeps, breathes, and thinks about Romero constantly. However, there have been recent instances when Romero didn’t consume every waking moment of his time.
Garcia loves a challenge, even when the odds are stacked against him. So, with Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) being the talk of the town, the California native made it clear that he would have no problem fighting him next, something his father agrees with.
The WBA have today named Ennis as its "Super" welterweight champion and now mandated him to box Shakhram Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) within 120 days of his stoppage victory earlier this month. Elsewhere, they've
approved Garcia-Romero for the now-vacant WBA (Regular) world title and the Ennis-Giyasov winner will subsequently be ordered to face the May 2 victor afterwards.
On paper, the unified champ might stroll to that prospective showdown as the favorite but before the betting world makes their pick, Henry wants them to go back and see the damage his son caused Haney.
“If Ryan hits him the way he hit Haney, I don’t know, can he take that punch?”