Eddie Hearn dares welterweight stars to be great as Jaron 'Boots' Ennis eyes up undisputed glory

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has challenged the likes of Brian Norman and Mario Barrios to 'dare to be great' as he eyes up mouthwatering unification showdowns in the welterweight division for his recently crowned WBA champion, Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.

The 27-year-old Philadelphian separated himself from the 147lbs pack in spectacular fashion in the early hours of Sunday morning, forcing Eimantas Stanionis to retire after six punishing rounds in Atlantic City.

‘Boots’ displayed his devastating mix of power and precision en-route to ripping the title out of the hands of the previously unbeaten Lithuanian, whilst also capturing the prestigious Ring Magazine strap.

And now, just days after the pulsating trans-Atlantic showdown, Hearn has signalled his lofty ambitions for his prize fighter, calling out Ennis' fellow title-holders, Norman and Barrios, in a bid to crown an undisputed welterweight ruler.

"I just hope the other champions have ambition," Hearn told Matchroom Boxing.

"Boots and the team are great to work with because they are chasing greatness, and after a performance like that we don’t take less money, we take more money.

The other guys, they will get paid, but they have to show ambition. It’s just ‘money, money, money, money’. What about trying to be number one in the division!

"With all due respect to Brian Norman, he just boxed for about $150,000 on the undercard of Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan. If we go back to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia now, to unify again, Boots will fill the whole place, 18, 19,000, unquestionably!

"There is money in the pot, but you have to show ambition."

Ennis' stock has continued to rise astronomically over the past 18 months, and Hearn believes it's just a matter of time until the supremely talented American rips through the weight classes.

But first, he feels it's imperative that his man gets the opportunity to fully unify titles in the 147lbs division - starting with Norman's WBO belt.

“I spoke to Bob Arum and he made it clear to me that they (Brian Norman's team) want to try to make the fight," he added. "It would probably be close to ten-times the biggest payday of Norman’s career to fight 'Boots'.

"That kind of payday to fight the very best in the sport to prove yourself as a pound-for-pound great.

Stop with Twitter, stop with Instagram, grow a pair of balls and come and be in one of the biggest fights in the sport - Wells Fargo, back end of the summer or early fall, let’s make it happen.

"I think the greatest achievement for any fighter is to be undisputed, but if you don’t want to get in the ring, you might as well retire from the sport because what’s it all about?

"Boots is not losing at 147, he’s not losing at 154, he’s not losing at 160 - watch what he does in the next few years, he’s going through all the divisions!"

Remember to set your marketing preferences on the bet365 website to continue receiving marketing from the bet365 team.