Norman Unification is Still the Top Preference for Ennis
- Matthew Brown
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
05/23/2025
What Jaron “Boots” Ennis does next lies solely in the fists and pen of Brian Norman Jr.
According to sources speaking with Brunch Boxing, the long-coveted unification clash between Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) — the reigning WBA and IBF Welterweight Champion — and WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. remains the top priority for the Philadelphia phenom. Ennis has made it clear to his team and promoter Eddie Hearn that Norman is the fight he wants most, and the pressure is now squarely on Hearn to make it happen.
Ennis has kept Norman in his crosshairs since the Atlanta native captured the WBO strap, with tensions fueled by a shared past that includes some reportedly volatile sparring sessions. Ask either camp who got the better of those encounters and you’ll get two different answers — but Ennis is ready to make the violence count for real.
Before anything can happen, Norman (27-0, 21 KOs) must first take care of business on June 19 in Japan, where he defends his title against hard-hitting Jin Sasaki. Norman is coming off a dominant demolition of Derrieck Cuevas in March and enters the Sasaki bout as a clear favorite. However, his team is not jumping the gun. While Ennis’ side has already reached out with an offer believed to be in the $2 million range, Norman’s camp is holding firm: no negotiations until after June 19.
From Norman’s point of view, it’s simple economics. If he loses, the unification evaporates. But if he wins, the fight with Ennis becomes that much bigger — and the purse, they believe, should reflect that.
Ennis, meanwhile, is riding high off a six-round thrashing of Eimantas Stanionis in their April unification bout. But with his ideal next opponent temporarily tied up, options are being weighed.
On the table, and the most likely move: a move to junior middleweight. Ennis has long been intrigued by a showdown with knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr., and there was brief chatter about the two colliding on the February 22 Riyadh Season card. However, Ennis had no intention of returning that early in the year and was already deep in discussions for his eventual fight with Stanionis, as Brunch Boxing exclusively reported. It should also be noted that as a super champion in the WBA, team Ennis believes that they are entitled to immediately challenge Yoenis Tellez for the division’s top prize.
Two weeks ago, Hearn floated the idea of a blockbuster matchup between Ennis and former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez — news that reportedly caught Ennis off guard. While initially surprised, Ennis is said to be open to the bout if and only if a Norman bout or a big junior middleweight fight can’t be finalized.
One opponent Ennis has zero interest in: his WBA mandatory challenger, Shakhram Giyasov. Despite the sanctioning body’s pressure, sources say Ennis will explore all other avenues before considering that route.
Ultimately, all roads point back to Norman. Both sides are expected to revisit negotiations immediately after Norman’s June 19 title defense, and momentum could pick up quickly if Norman emerges victorious.
Still, one source close to Ennis issued a cautionary note: “Don’t expect Boots to wait forever.” An announcement for Ennis’s next bout is expected soon.
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links: