Eddie Hearn Advises Terence Crawford to Vacate WBA 154-Pound Title Ahead of Jaron Ennis’ Eliminator

British promoter Eddie Hearn has nothing but admiration for Terence Crawford’s legacy, but he believes the four-division champion is walking into a bad look if he continues to hold the WBA junior middleweight title. Speaking with The Ring, Hearn explained that rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis is on the verge of becoming Crawford’s mandatory challenger. Ennis (34-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC) will face Uisma Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) in a WBA final eliminator on Oct. 11 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. If Ennis wins, he’ll be positioned to force a Crawford fight at 154 pounds.

“Ennis is fighting a final eliminator for the WBA title, which puts us as mandatory to Terence Crawford,” Hearn said. “Now, obviously, he may never fight again at 154, but he has not vacated his title yet. If I’m Terence Crawford, I’m vacating now. Because when we become mandatory, we’re calling that fight on, and then he’s gonna have to vacate the belt once Boots is mandatory. That’s not a great look.”

Crawford’s Current Path

Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) hasn’t fought since defeating Israil Madrimov in July 2024 at 154 pounds — his first and only appearance above welterweight. Now 37, he has moved up two more divisions to challenge Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) for the undisputed super middleweight crown on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Given his pursuit of glory at 168 pounds, most observers believe Crawford has little intention of returning to defend his belt at junior middleweight. Still, holding the WBA strap offers him leverage in that weight class.