Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis have never shared the ring, but their rivalry has continued to gather momentum as the two Americans exchanged words during the DAZN broadcast of Andy Ruiz Jr’s comeback against Damian Knyba.

The pair have been linked for years, dating back to Crawford’s time as undisputed welterweight champion when Ennis was emerging as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders. A fight never materialised, with Crawford instead vacating the belts and moving to super-welterweight to beat Israil Madrimov before a jump to super-middleweight to defeat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. He retired undefeated and a champion in five divisions.

Ennis has since established himself as a major force in his own right. After becoming unified champion at welterweight, ‘Boots’ moved up to 154lbs and stopped Xander Zayas in seven rounds to collect the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles. He has made clear that undisputed status is now the goal, with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and IBF champion Josh Kelly among the remaining belt-holders in his sights.

While Crawford has publicly stated that he wants to see ‘Boots’ do well, he has also offered some criticism. He previously argued that Ennis was being given too much credit for the Zayas victory and warned that his tendency to exchange could prove costly against the likes of Fundora or Vergil Ortiz Jr. He has also backed Fundora to beat Ennis and suggested Ortiz would punish the openings he has seen in the Philadelphia fighter’s game.

Ennis has largely brushed those comments aside, insisting Crawford’s opinions do not bother him and pointing out that the former pound-for-pound king is now retired. Alongside promoter Eddie Hearn, however, the Philly native has welcomed the idea of Crawford coming out of retirement to face him, even calling it ‘easy work’.

The tension resurfaced during Friday night’s Ruiz-Knyba broadcast, with Crawford making it clear that he believes he would have had too much for Ennis had they ever met. He also argued that ‘Boots’ will only receive the recognition he is seeking if he proves himself against elite opposition at 154lbs, specifically naming Ortiz and Fundora.

BOOTS AND BUD GOING AT IT 👀🔥🍿#TheFight | #RuizKnyba | Live NOW on DAZN and TNT ▪️ pic.twitter.com/5pe8AgGNfu

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 5, 2026

The exchange adds another chapter to a rivalry that seems likely to remain in the debate territory. Crawford appears content in retirement, while Ennis remains focused on cleaning out the super-welterweight division.

For now, the chances of them settling the debate in the ring appear remote. But with both men clearly willing to keep discussing the other, the argument over how a fight between them would have unfolded is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

Ennis is reportedly close to inking a unification deal with Kelly, which could take place towards the end of this year.