Matchroom Boxing has been the home to some of the top fighters in British boxing. Over time, it has become a home for women’s boxing.
Now, it features the best of America after signing Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
Both champions have showcased their skills to the masses, whether Ennis in Philadelphia or Rodriguez in Phoenix.
The men Eddie Hearn calls the “Two Kings” will compete on the same card to end the year.
Ennis defends the IBF welterweight title on November 9 in a rematch against Karen Chukhadzhian. It is in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez defends the WBC super flyweight title against Pedro Guevara. The event airs on DAZN worldwide.
“Boots” is a true phenom in the sport and has a massive following. He held the interim IBF title to start 2023 but was named full-time champion after Terence Crawford got stripped of the belt and moved to super welterweight.
That leaves Ennis the keys to the division, and Hearn thinks his future is bright there and beyond.
WATCH: Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, live on DAZN
“I think the guy could be pound-for-pound number one,” Hearn told The Sporting News. “I really do.
“It’s very exciting with what’s happening with ‘Boots.’ It’s a mandatory.
“We wanted to unify, but we have to take care of this fight quickly, and then we want to move on to fight one of the champions next year,”
“I think the guy could be undisputed at 147, move up, and be a multi-division world champion. I think he has it all.”
The last time he fought Chukhadzhian, the fight went the distance.
Chukhadzhian’s defense threw Ennis off as he admitted he went for knockout blows throughout the fight.
Now, he plans not to miss.
A definitive win would be great for him and the Matchroom brand.
Ennis is still interested in a Crawford fight, though “Bud” has moved to super welterweight and won gold in that division.
As Hearn said, there are other opponents to choose from, and Ennis will have all the power as the A-side.
First, he must win on November 9. Following that, 2025 could be the year of “Boots.”
“He’s the biggest name now in the division,” Hearn said of Ennis.
“You’ve seen a lot of those other names move up. Those like (WBA champion) Stanionis (Eimantas), (WBC champion Mario) Barrios, (WBO champion Brian) Norman, their money fight is ‘Boots.’
“The money does exist as long as these guys are sensible. I think there’s nowhere else for them to go.
“I do think we’re going to find these unification fights once he takes care of business on November 9, to unify in early 2025.”
MORE: Who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Meanwhile, Rodriguez is already a multi-division champion before age 25. “Bam” won the WBC super flyweight title in 2022 and relinquished it to focus on flyweight.
After unifying the division, he moved back up and won back the WBC 115-pound belt by beating the legendary Juan Francisco Estrada.
Now considered a “Legend Slayer,” Rodriguez wants to fight Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Naoya Inoue.
Hearn sees great things from Rodriguez, ranked number one in The Sporting News’ 25 Under 25 list, who he recently signed to a new-multi-fight deal.
“I rank him (Rodriguez) at number five (pound-for-pound),” Hearn said.
“You talk about ceilings. ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, I’m not sure has a ceiling. He’s young, he’s just getting better and better.
“You look at his resume already, it’s incredible.
“He’s a multi-weight world champion… he’s actually got a good fight on November 9, a tough mandatory defense.
“And then he’ll be looking to unify the division before an inevitable move up to bantamweight and probably beyond.”
A win from both could open the door to massive Matchroom shows across the United States.
The drawing power of Ennis, recently selling out the Wells Fargo Center, and Rodriguez, selling out the Desert Diamond Arena and Footprint Center in Arizona, is real. Hearn quickly recognized that.
Ennis and Rodriguez look to end 2024 on a high note. Following that, the possibilities for them are endless.
“By the end of 2025, you can see both those guys in the top three pound-for-pound. ‘Boots’ does a huge crowd there in Philadelphia. ‘Bam’s’ been doing good numbers in Phoenix as well,” Hearn said.
“But it’s two mandatory defenses. On November 9, American fight fans will see one of the biggest cards they’ve ever seen.”
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