Eddie Hearn has provided so much for Jaron Ennis but can he deliver Terence Crawford

Eddie Hearn has delivered massively for Jaron Ennis, but can the Matchroom boss aim even higher and tempt Terence Crawford out of retirement for his big American superstar? 

On Saturday night, Ennis delivered the type of breakout perofrmance that fighters dream of and Hearn was ecstatic at ringside as every exchange in the unforgettable seven round epic was greeted raucously by a huge crowd in Brooklyn. 

Hearn’s American takeover has had many false dawns, but with Ennis and Jesse Rodriguez both set to fight for the British promoter for the next few years, the next phase of Hearn’s global dominance looks in safe hands in a part of the world that is crying out for new superstars. 

In Ennis, Hearn has long believed that the Philadelphia native was capable of being someone like Floyd Mayweather or Canelo Alvarez, a genuine PPV attraction who sells out on either coast, and after bludgeoning Zayas, another fighter with a tremendous upside despite the loss, Hearn will be more confident that Ennis will fulfil the potential that has long been expected him. 

Ennis has plenty of options

In the immediate aftermath of his win over Zayas, the attention switched to what could come next and with Hearn also promoting Sunderland’s Josh Kelly, a unification battle at 154lbs appears the most straightforward move for both men. 

If not Kelly, there’s Vergil Ortiz and Sebastian Fundora in events that will do spectacular business in America, but what about Crawford? Can the former pound-for-pound sensation be tempted back into the ring just months after exiting the sport with a flawless record? 

Against Canelo Alvarez, Crawford showed no signs that he was in the departure lounge as he produced the best performance of his illustrious career to become undisputed champion at super-middleweight. 

Ed Mulholland/TKO Worldwide LLC via Getty Images

That victory, and performance, suggested Crawford had plenty left to offer despite being 38 years old, and fights against Boots, Ortiz, Janibek Alimkhanuly were all mentioned as possible rivals. Instead, Crawford called time on his career, but he has been spotted at several shows since retiring which may suggest he can’t keep away from the sport that he has given so much too. 

Ennis vs Zayas may end up being the biggest fight of 2026, but Ennis vs Crawford next year would be a fight for the ages and would provide both men with the opportunity to further enhance the legacies they have created up to now. 

Would Crawford be tempted? Against Canelo, the Nebraska man was paid a fortune to make a leap up in weight, and there is no risk of him going broke anytime soon as long as he is sensible. Money would not be his motivation, but with the entire boxing world salivating regarding Ennis’ success, Crawford will be fully aware just how major an all-American showdown could be. 

Ennis vs Crawford to cement Hearn's American legacy

The process has been slow, but Hearn’s faith in Ennis has finally been justified with New York City coming out for the show, and once people are through the turnstiles, it’s then down to the fighters to make them keep coming back. 

That shouldn’t be a problem following Ennis’ latest display, but if Hearn can secure a future showdown with Crawford, and Ennis can somehow record another monumental statement, Hearn’s American dream will hit an all-time high that may never be replicated no matter how long he stays in the sport. 

Hearn has delivered Crawford for Ricky Burns and Israil Madrimov in the past. Providing him for Ennis, when he appears so content in retirement, could change the game for American boxing. Hearn has aimed to strike gold stateside with Anthony Joshua, Canelo, and Rodriguez, staging Ennis vs Crawford in 2027 will be the fight that finally sees him land the jackpot. 

Get PPVs included in your subscription with DAZN Ultimate Tier

DAZN's Ultimate Tier subscription package includes a minimum of 12 PPVs a year, including Joshua vs Prenga, on top of the regular 185 fight nights offering.

Other upcoming PPVs included in the Ultimate Tier are Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian M'billi (TBA). That means you would not need to purchase thIS PPV individually at extra costs. 

US customers can sign up for Ultimate Tier now for  $49.99 per month.  UK customers can subscribe for 24.99 per month .

Based on buying 12 PPV's per year having a Ultimate Tier subscription instead can save £320 / $535 a year**. 

**Savings calculated by comparing 12 months of DAZN Monthly Flex plus 12 pay-per-view events per year against 12 months of DAZN Ultimate at launch price.