Eddie Hearn Eyes Ennis – Norman Jr. Unification After Tonight’s Bout, However WBA Obligatory Giyasov Darkens the Horizon, Threatening Undisputed Goals

Promoter Eddie Hearn needs IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to face WBO champ Brian Norman Jr. subsequent if he’s victorious tonight in his unification battle in opposition to WBA belt-holder Eimantas Stanionis in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey.

(Credit score: Matchroom)

Nonetheless, Hearn says his fighter, Shakhram Giyasov, who’s WBA obligatory, deserves his shot on the Ennis-Stanionis winner. Giyasov (16-0, 9 KOs) has stepped apart to permit Stanionis to battle Boots tonight. It will likely be troublesome for him to step apart a second time for Boots to battle a unification with WBO champion Norman Jr.

Giyasov’s Worth

It’s doable with the appropriate step apart quantity. If Giyasov is obtainable a bundle of cash he can’t refuse, he is perhaps keen to permit Ennis to go forward with the unification conflict in opposition to Brian Jr. if he wins tonight in opposition to Stanionis.

“It’s troublesome as a result of we signify Shakhram [Giyasov] as nicely, and he understood the dimensions of this battle for the game,” stated Eddie Hearn to YSM Sports Media about WBA-mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov stepping apart to permit WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis to battle IBF belt-holder Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in a unification match tonight.

That is the entire downside with Boots wanting to remain at 147 till he accomplishes his superficial objective of turning into the undisputed champion. It’s going to take ceaselessly for Ennis to finish that objective, and there’s little or no to realize popularity-wise from capturing all 4 titles.

Boots’s protection in opposition to Giyasov will eat up the second half of 2025. Then there’s the wait time for Ennis, who’s attempting to arrange a unification battle in opposition to WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who may very well be combating 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao subsequent. That’s extra time down the drain for Ennis.

“He [Giyasov] now has the winner. So, is there a possibility to battle Brian Norman and Shakhram waits once more? It’s troublesome as a result of he’s bought his shot. We’ve bought to offer him with a possibility as nicely. I don’t know. I do know that initially, we have been taking a look at Boots transferring as much as 154 sooner or later.”

If Stanionis wins tonight, he’ll possible go forward with the protection in opposition to Giyasov somewhat than paying him a step apart. Finally, it’ll come right down to the cash that’s at stake for a match in opposition to Norman Jr. or a rematch with Ennis. Hearn isn’t going to need Stanionis to get away with out pushing for a direct rematch if he beats Ennis tonight.

Hearn’s Precedence

“If he wins [against Stanionis], I feel he’s going to wish to win the lot. I’m listening to rumors about [WBC welterweight champion Mario] Barrios in opposition to Pacquiao. I imply, what’s that for the WBC world title? However Brian Norman, for me, is the battle,” stated Hearn.

“That for me is a superb battle, however we’ve [Boots] bought to get previous [Stanionis]. That is the hardest battle within the division. So, if we get by, we’re unified #1, then we’ll see what’s subsequent,” stated Hearn.