“In fighting, I cannot let you know that I respect you. Even if I do, I can’t let you know that because you will use that against me,” Hackett said to MillCity Boxing.

“You cannot give up any leverage. So, as long as it looks like you still physically able to get in the ring with me, I’m not giving you the respect you think you deserve the way you want it to be because I’m not bowing down to you because we fighters.”

The prospect of Crawford fighting again sits at the heart of Hackett’s stance. Crawford announced his retirement, but Hackett remains unconvinced the 38-year-old is finished.

That makes Ennis previously labeling Crawford “easy work” significant. Hackett believes those words bothered Crawford and sees no reason for Boots to become more vocal simply to provoke another reaction.

“What more do you have to say than easy work? He easy. What’s more disrespectful than that? A five-division champion, three-time undisputed, and you said I’m easy.”

Some boxing fans want Ennis to make a more aggressive public push to lure Crawford back. Hackett dismisses the idea that Boots needs to force a different persona.

“They want Boots to act out of character. That’s not how he is. He gonna say what he’s saying and that’s it.”

Crawford can stay retired while Ennis continues with his own career. If Crawford eventually decides to return, Hackett sees no reason for Boots to spend the meantime praising someone he may still have an opportunity to fight.