Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the undefeated IBF welterweight titleholder, has taken his next fight to the legal arena, initiating a lawsuit against NOW Boxing. Ennis is seeking a release from his contract and is pursuing damages in excess of $1,000,000. The lawsuit was filed on February 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, aiming for a declaratory judgment to nullify his current promotional agreement and a substantial monetary judgment.
Central to Ennis’s legal complaint is the issue of inactivity under the terms of a four-year agreement signed in 2019 with NOW Boxing. This agreement, according to Ennis, promised him a certain number of fights per year—a commitment he alleges was not fulfilled. Over the span of more than five years since signing, Ennis has competed only ten times, falling short of the contractually stipulated number of bouts.
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The lawsuit highlights a significant change in NOW Boxing’s management, noting the transition to Kellie Dunkin following Cameron Dunkin’s death. The complaint points out Kellie Dunkin’s lack of experience in boxing promotion as a factor contributing to Ennis’s inactivity. Moreover, Ennis and his legal team argue that no fight opportunities have been presented since his victory over Roiman Villa in July 2023.
Ennis’s legal pursuit comes amid a complex promotional landscape, underscored by his recent elevation to full IBF welterweight titlist status. This advancement came after Terence “Bud” Crawford’s failure to comply with an ordered IBF title consolidation bout. Despite this title status, Ennis’s opportunities for significant fights have been stymied, leaving his career in a precarious position.
This lawsuit follows a previous legal dispute Ennis had with Chris Middendorf and Victory Boxing, which was resolved in June 2021. That earlier case had threatened to derail Ennis’s promising boxing career, highlighting ongoing challenges within the sport’s promotional dynamics.
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