Jaron "Boots" Ennis will ring-walk for the 34th time as a professional boxer this Saturday night with two key objectives in mind. Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs), the IBF welterweight champion, faces Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs), the WBA welterweight champion, inside Atlantic City’s historic Boardwalk Hall looking to unify world titles at 147 pounds, while also simultaneously shaking off his unwanted tag of a "prospect."
I agree — it sounds ridiculous.
For a fighter who has amassed 33 victories and picked up a world title, being viewed as an up-and-coming star feels reductive and offensive — but in this instance, it’s more of an indication of the lofty ceiling Boots is believed to have in the sport.