“He’s really intelligent and intelligent,” Ennis said. “He plays when he wants and kills when he wants. That’s me. I’m the same type. Our style is fan-friendly.”

While Ennis and Whittaker may share an appreciation for entertaining audiences, their upcoming assignments come with very different challenges.

Whittaker (11-0-1 (8 KO)) will face Richard Rivera in his American debut on the undercard at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old Olympic silver medalist has not yet faced a world-class opponent in his professional career. His recent wins over Benjamin Gavazi and Brian Suarez came against opponents who lacked the speed and technical ability to consistently cause him problems.

Even Liam Cameron, whose first fight with Whittaker ended in a controversial draw, wasn’t the type of graceful boxer who could make Whittaker chase him around the ring. The rematch allowed Whittaker to answer some questions, but it didn’t prove how well his style would hold up against elite airy heavyweights.

Meanwhile, Jaron faces a different kind of test against Xander Zayas.

Unlike the slower, high-pressure opponents against whom Ennis often looked spectacular, Zayas brings movement, discipline and a technically sound boxing style. The undefeated titleholder operates with a edged jab, uses angles effectively and rarely gives his opponents extended opportunities to showcase his offensive creativity.

This can make it much more hard for Boots to “have fun” in the ring.

Critics have long questioned the level of opposition Ennis faced throughout his career, arguing that the accolades surrounding him outweighed the quality of his resume. A dominant victory over Zayas would be one of the strongest responses to these concerns.

Whittaker mostly faced opponents who wanted to fight on his terms. Zayas are not built that way. The 23-year-old prefers to box with the jab, create angles and reset his opponents. For Ennis, this may mean fewer opportunities for entertainment and more emphasis on solving the puzzle in front of him.

If not, the conversation around Ennis may remain unchanged.

Whittaker was largely allowed to dictate the terms of his fights. On June 27, Ennis will be tasked with doing something more hard: imposing his style on an opponent whose game plan is based on denying that freedom.

Moses Itauma is expected to be a major force in the heavyweight division, but it is unclear whether he will have a chance to announce himself against the likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

In his last two fights, Itauma improved on the performances of Fury and “AJ”, stopping Dillian Whyte in the first round of their fight three years after he lasted six rounds against Fury, and eliminating Jermaine Franklin in five rounds, three years after the American defeated Joshua the distance.

These triumphs pushed Itauma up the rankings, where he is now considered the mandatory challenger for the WBO titleready to fire at the winner of the anticipated return leg of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley should his team decide to go that route.

However, if the newborn man is willing to take on the venerable guard and face the Fury, the latter said iFL Television that every offer must be lucrative.

– Nothing, but money, of course [would tempt me to fight Itauma]. I’m definitely a competitor, show me the money and I’ll do the job, but at the end of the day, if there’s not a lot of money involved, what’s the point? There is no belt, there is nothing, what is it for?”

“I don’t have to fight f**king kids, you know what I mean? Look, Moses is a good kid, he’s a great boxer and all, brilliant, but if it’s not for the huge money, why would I want to fight Moses for a damn thing?”

Fury then praised his Queensberry colleague’s heavyweight talent, admitting Itauma “is definitely a real hit” after regularly sparring with the Kent sensation.

“I’ve had Moses at four or five camps and he’s a good kid. Good punch, good speed, good boxing IQ, he listens, which is very vital, he takes it all upon himself and he’s also a good student.

“He’s got speed and athleticism, he’s definitely a real competitor. If he wasn’t, I would say, but don’t forget, I’m the one gassing him for the last four years!”

Fury will return to action this summer and another recent sparring partner, Nelson Hysa, will be considered one of the leading options for away corners.

As for Itauma, his own fight in August is expected to be announced soon, with Filip Hrgovic still the favorite.

Mike Coppinger reported that negotiations between the camps had intensified, contracts had been exchanged, and the probable date of the fight was September or October.

If the fight is finalized, it will be his first appearance since his controversial majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. earlier this year. The result ended Davis’ long winning streak and sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many believing Roach had done enough to secure the victory.

Meanwhile, Schofield will get the biggest opportunity of his newborn career. The 23-year-old fighter set an undefeated record for the organization, constantly climbing the rankings, thanks to which he took first place in the WBA lightweight division. Although Schofield has faced criticism from some observers for not facing elite opponents, a fight with Gervonta would provide an immediate opportunity to test himself against one of boxing’s biggest attractions.

Davis (31-0-1 (29 KO)) remains one of the sport’s most recognizable stars and a pay-per-view headliner, despite questions surrounding his latest outing. Before the Roach fight, the Baltimore native recorded stoppage victories over Frank Martin and Ryan Garcia, cementing his reputation as one of boxing’s most perilous fighters.

Schofield (19-0 (13 KO)) has repeatedly expressed interest in fighting the division’s top fighters. A victory over Tank would immediately change the lightweight world and elevate him from promising contender to world champion.