Terence Crawford Says Boots Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Turned Him Down Before Canelo — ‘Now I’m the Ticket They Want to Fight’

Terence “Bud” Crawford has never been one to hold back his thoughts. The undisputed welterweight champion turned boxing’s pound-for-pound king after defeating Canelo Alvarez earlier this year — a monumental win that shifted the balance of star power in the sport. But in a recent interview on All The Smoke, Crawford made headlines once again, this time not for his punches, but for his pointed words toward two of boxing’s brightest rising stars: Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr.

According to Crawford, both Ennis and Ortiz turned down fights against him before his historic win over Canelo. Now that his name carries massive weight — and pay-per-view clout — they’re suddenly ready to step into the ring.

“Boots had a chance to fight me, Vergil Ortiz had an opportunity to fight me,” Crawford said. “But now everybody’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll fight Terence, I’m this, I’m that.’ I’m like, okay cool. When y’all had your opportunity, y’all went elsewhere. But now that y’all see I’m the ticket, now y’all like, ‘Yeah, we want Terence Crawford.’ That’s the narrative now.”

From Underrated to Unavoidable

For much of his career, Crawford has been considered one of the best technicians in boxing, but not necessarily one of its biggest draws. Despite his dominance in the ring — undefeated, a three-division world champion, and a master of adjustments — critics often said he lacked star appeal.

Before the Canelo fight, Crawford was the one chasing recognition. He had unified divisions, collected belts, and dominated elite opponents like Errol Spence Jr., yet his pay-per-view numbers lagged behind the likes of Canelo, Tyson Fury, and even Gervonta Davis.

Now, after dethroning Canelo in the biggest fight of the year, everything has changed. Crawford’s name alone sells. He’s no longer just “the best boxer”; he’s the main event, the ticket — the man every fighter wants a piece of, both for legacy and for money.

“Crawford needed Canelo to become the draw he always wanted to be,” one industry insider noted. “Canelo didn’t need Crawford. But Crawford needed that fight to shift the narrative — and he did it.”

The Boots and Ortiz Dilemma

When Crawford claims that Boots Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. turned him down, he’s not necessarily calling them cowards. He’s pointing out what boxing fans and promoters already know: fighting Crawford before his mega-fight with Canelo was a high-risk, low-reward scenario.

Back then, Crawford represented one of the most dangerous challenges in boxing, but without the pay-per-view upside to justify it. Beating him would be career-defining — but losing to him could set a rising star back years.

Now, things are different. A fight with Crawford post-Canelo is a big-risk, big-reward opportunity. The payday is enormous, and the spotlight is brighter than ever.

As one fan on Reddit wrote, “When Crawford was the boogeyman, nobody wanted him. Now he’s the money man — and suddenly everyone’s brave.”

Crawford’s Complex Relationship with Boxing Stardom

Crawford’s comments also carry a layer of irony. For years, he publicly complained that the media and the boxing establishment didn’t give him the same respect or promotion as other champions. He accused networks and promoters of downplaying his drawing power, painting him as technically brilliant but commercially limited.

Now, the tables have turned — and Crawford is embracing the very image he once fought against.

“People said I wasn’t a ticket seller,” Crawford said. “Now, all of a sudden, I’m the ticket. It’s funny how that works.”

His newfound status, however, has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Some see Crawford’s rise as overdue recognition of his greatness. Others argue that he became “the ticket” only because of Canelo — that it took beating boxing’s biggest name for the world to finally pay attention.

A longtime boxing journalist summarized it bluntly: “Crawford didn’t create the market — he inherited it from Canelo. But what he does next will determine if he can keep it.”

Boots and Ortiz: The New Generation Watching Closely

For Ennis and Ortiz, Crawford’s comments add both pressure and opportunity. Ennis, the unbeaten IBF welterweight champion, has been called “the next big thing” for years. His combination of speed, timing, and power has drawn comparisons to a young Roy Jones Jr. Ortiz, meanwhile, has battled health setbacks but remains one of the most explosive finishers in boxing.

Both are in their prime, and both know that fighting Crawford now — not before, but now — could define their legacies.

A matchup between Crawford and Ennis, in particular, would be a stylistic masterpiece. Ennis’s aggression and athleticism versus Crawford’s precision and ring IQ could be one of the most technically compelling fights in modern boxing.

Ortiz, on the other hand, represents a rawer, more emotional storyline — a young lion hungry to take down the king.

But the question remains: Will Crawford actually give them the chance they once refused?

A New Era of Leverage

Crawford’s tone in All The Smoke suggested a man who knows his worth — and intends to use it. He’s no longer the one begging for big fights. The power has shifted.

“When I was calling people out, they acted like I didn’t exist,” Crawford said. “Now they can’t stop saying my name.”

This new version of Terence Crawford isn’t chasing anyone — he’s choosing. That’s what being “the ticket” means in boxing terms. Fighters, promoters, and networks now revolve around his availability.

Ironically, the same logic that Boots and Ortiz used to avoid him before — “too much risk, not enough reward” — now applies in reverse. For Crawford, fighting a lesser-known opponent might not make sense financially or legacy-wise unless it serves the narrative he’s building.

The Bigger Picture: Boxing’s Eternal Circle

In many ways, Crawford’s story reflects boxing’s cyclical nature. Every great fighter starts as the hunter, chasing names and opportunities. Then, after years of being avoided, they finally become the hunted — the superstar everyone wants a piece of.

Crawford has finally reached that point. He’s not just a champion; he’s the measuring stick. And while he may take pride in that transformation, it’s also a reminder of how fickle fame in boxing can be.

“Now that I’m the ticket, everybody wants in,” Crawford said. “But where were they before?”

Conclusion: The Power Shift Complete

Terence Crawford’s comments aren’t just trash talk — they’re a declaration of transformation. Once the most underrated elite fighter in the sport, he has become boxing’s most wanted man.

Boots Ennis and Vergil Ortiz may finally be ready to share the ring with him, but Crawford’s point stands: timing is everything.

He was the risk when no one cared.
Now, he’s the reward everyone wants.

And in the ever-turning world of boxing, that’s what separates the hunted from the hunter.