Trainer Stephen Edwards says the fighters now want to take on Jaron 'Boots' Ennis because they have seen what Karen Chokhadjian did to him in both fights and feel they can exploit holes in his game.
Chukhadzhian open-toe shoes
Stephen believes Potts (33-0, 29 KO) is “very bloodthirsty” as he is always looking for knockouts, which makes him vulnerable in his fights. We saw that in Ennis's fights against Chokhadjian, David Avanesyan, and Roiman Vela. He was below average in those fights and took a lot of hits.
Edwards feels that if Potts can change his fighting style to execute more boxing, he will be fine. However, he was trained by his father, Derek “Boosie” Ennis, and is known for pushing his fighters to be more aggressive, stay on the attack, and look to score a knockout.
It is unlikely that Bozy Ennis would ask his son to change his fighting style to be less aggressive because that is not the approach he teaches. We saw how Posey was pushing 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz to be more aggressive in his last fight against Antonio Moran, and he faltered early.
If Cruz had used his usual fighting style, he would have flagged Moran without this guy laying a glove on him, but he was pushed to put pressure on the bigger fighter.
“Teofimo Lopez is a special talent, but I don’t know what he’ll look like at 147 pounds. He’s kind of short (5’8″),” coach Stephen Edwards said. YSM Sports Media When asked how Teofimo Lopez would do if he moved up to welterweight to face the Lions in this weight class.
“He's kind of hot and cold. I thought he struggled against Jamin Ortiz and the other guy (Sandor Martin?), and then he looked good against Josh Taylor. So, it's hard to say that with a guy like that. I think he'll do well under (the coach) Eddy Reynoso, as he does well with players with his body type.
“He did a good job with Oscar Valdez and he did a great job with Canelo Alvarez. So, I expect him to do a good job with Eddy Reynoso. I think he (Teofimo) can beat (WBC welterweight champion Mario) Barrios. I like Barrios. This is not Something personal against him, but he's had some tough battles and maybe he's not as physically gifted as the other players.
Teofimo at welterweight
Size is not the issue Teofimo might face if he steps up and fights at welterweight. It's a case of Teofimo lacking ring IQ, not being able to handle pressure well, and having a bad habit of fighting with his back against the ropes. He's mostly survived with his poor round IQ due to his size at 140 and 135. But if he moves up to 147, his size won't be enough to help him, and he'll be fodder for almost any welterweight.
“So, I think Teofimo could beat Barrios, but I don’t know what he will do against the other players,” Stephen said. “There was talk of him fighting Brian Norman, but I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I was looking forward to that fight. That could have been a good fight.”
“I think Boots is too big for the Teofimo Lopez fight with Jamaine Ortiz. If Boots punches him and uses his jab, it will be too big for him. I think guys want to fight Boots now because of the two decisions with Karen (Chokadjian). “I think the guys want to fight Boots now because of the two decisions with Karen (Chokadjian),” Stephen said of Ennis. “He fights in a bloodthirsty style, trying to knock everyone out, and they saw some holes in that.”
Boots would have too much power over Teofimo if they fought, and would not be a good match for Teo. That doesn't mean he won't have his moments and maybe win. He may do well sometimes, but the battle will be very difficult for him.
“In boxing, they see a flaw. All a fighter has to do is struggle in the fight, and everyone wants to fight him. I feel like these things could be corrected if he just came back to boxing. I think Teofimo is too young for Boots,” Stephen said.
