Here’s a bold statement: Jaron Ennis could make his fight against Vergil Ortiz look like a walk in the park. But here’s where it gets controversial—while many see this as a 50-50 matchup, Tim Bradley, the former champion turned analyst, disagrees. He believes Ennis’s multidimensional skill set gives him a clear edge, and he’s not alone in this opinion. But is he right? Let’s dive in.
Bradley has a knack for reading fighters’ chances before the first bell even rings, and it’s becoming a pattern. Take the Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Edgar Berlanga fight in July, for example. While many saw it as a toss-up, Bradley noticed Berlanga’s odd behavior during the build-up—taunting promoter Oscar De La Hoya and looking uneasy walking to the ring. And this is the part most people miss—Bradley’s ability to spot these subtle signs of doubt. He predicted Berlanga’s knockout, and he was right. Sheeraz stopped him in the fifth round.
Fast forward to Ennis’s recent bout against Uisma Lima. On paper, it was a lopsided matchup, but Bradley initially thought Lima’s strength might keep him in the fight. That is, until the fighters faced off. Here’s the kicker—Bradley saw fear in Lima’s eyes during the referee’s instructions. He knew it wouldn’t last. And it didn’t. Ennis dominated, showcasing his versatility with a hybrid hook-uppercut that sent Lima to the canvas. The fight ended shortly after.
So, what does this say about Ennis’s potential against Ortiz? Bradley argues that Ennis’s ability to adapt—his jab, ring IQ, and athleticism—makes him a nightmare for one-dimensional fighters like Ortiz. But here’s the controversial part—Bradley downplays Ortiz’s high guard defense, calling it easy to exploit. He believes Ennis’s uppercut, one of the best in the game, could split Ortiz’s guard wide open. Bold claim? Maybe. But Bradley backs it up with examples, like Floyd Mayweather’s tactical victory over Ricky Hatton.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing—Bradley thinks Ortiz’s relentless pressure, his signature style, can be neutralized with movement, a sharp jab, and lateral traps. He points to Ortiz’s fights against Madrimov and Bohachuk, where moments of vulnerability were exposed. The question is—can Ennis capitalize on those weaknesses better than others? Bradley says yes, and he’s not afraid to predict an easy win for Ennis.
But let’s not forget Sebastian Fundora, the WBC champion whose size could pose problems for Ennis. Even so, Bradley still favors Ennis. And this is the part that sparks debate—when asked who could eventually beat Ennis, Bradley hesitates. He believes the answer lies in higher weight classes, not at 154 lbs. Bold statement? Absolutely. But it’s one that invites discussion.
Now, let’s talk about Eddie Hearn, Ennis’s promoter. Bradley has a message for him: Stop playing with people’s emotions. Hearn’s predictions about Ennis dominating multiple weight classes—154, 160, and even 168—feel premature. Bradley wants to see Ennis tested against the best at 154 lbs first. The real question is—are we ready to see Ennis’s greatness against top-tier opponents, or are we content with him facing ‘jabronis’?
As for Ennis himself, Bradley’s advice is simple: Keep fighting, keep believing. If Ennis truly believes in his skills, Bradley thinks he’ll be unstoppable. But what do you think? Is Bradley’s assessment of Ennis vs. Ortiz spot on, or is he underestimating Ortiz’s power? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
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