Terence Crawford has admitted that Jaron Ennis, at least from an outside perspective, would pose a genuine threat if they ever lock horns.

The 38-year-old called time on his illustrious career in December, having become a three-division undisputed king by dethroning Canelo Alvarez at 168lbs.

Not only that, but Crawford joined the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe by retiring as an unbeaten world champion, who actually claimed major titles in five weight classes.

Yet despite repeatedly insisting that he is happily retired, the American has never entirely ruled out a mammoth comeback fight against Ennis.

The two-division unified champion comes off a seventh-round stoppage of Xander Zayas, who he dethroned for the WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles in June.

Now, the 29-year-old appears set to face IBF champion Josh Kelly in a unification match later this year while, at the same time, maintaining his willingness for a potential clash with Crawford.

It therefore remains to be seen whether the mega fight will even materialise but Crawford, while speaking with Ring Champs, has admitted that Ennis does possess several attributes that could, in theory, cause him problems.

“On the outside, we look and we say: ‘This might cause me some problems, [or] this might cause me some problems’. But, when you get in there, none of that causes you no problems – because you be so focused on what could cause you some problems that, when you get in there, you be like, ‘Man, that s**t was nothing’.

“Boots got fast hands; he’s a good counterpuncher; he’s a volume puncher; he throws punches in bunches … he got good reflexes; he’s young; he’s athletic – you think about stuff like that but then, when you get in there, you say, ‘Oh, this dude ain’t got everything it takes [to beat me]’.”

Regardless of whether Crawford comes out of retirement, Ennis has expressed his interest in dethroning Kelly and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora to become the undisputed king at 154lbs.