Danny Garcia believes that fellow Philadelphian welterweight Jaron Ennis will reach the top of the division sooner or later – just don’t necessarily expect it to happen at Garcia’s expense.

Garcia, the former two-division titlist and one of the most prominent fighters to emerge from fight-rich Philadelphia in recent memory, recently gave his thoughts on Ennis, the 24-year-old many consider to be the brightest talent in the upcoming generation of top welterweights. Like Garcia, Ennis is also from Philadelphia, but a match-up between the two does not seem likely judging from Garcia’s latest comments.

“It’s boxing, like I said before, anything can happen, so you can never say never,” Garcia said of fighting Ennis in an interview with FightHubTV. “But as far as now, I feel like he’s got his own journey, and I got my own journey. I earned my stripes in the game already. He’s gonna build his legacy and I’m looking for bigger and better things”

Garcia spoke fondly of Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs), saying that he expects the undefeated southpaw to “take over” the 147-pound class in one or two more fights. Ennis is currently scheduled to face Custio Clayton in an eliminator May 14 in Los Angeles on the undercard of the Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano 154-pound unification rematch.

“Philly supports Philly,” Garcia. “He’s a young, hungry upcoming fighter. He’s almost there to be a champion.

“But I feel as far as him, like I told him, he’s gonna build his own legacy, just like I built my own legacy. You know what I’m sayin’? Like I said before, I think the welterweight division, in one or two more fights, is gonna open up and I feel like he’s gonna be the one to take over the division.”

Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) himself has hinted at possibly moving up to 154-pound and starting afresh there, having exhausted most of his options at the welterweight limit. The 34-year-old veteran has fought nearly everyone of consequence at 147, including Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, and Errol Spence Jr., against whom he lost by unanimous decision in their title (WBC and IBF) unification bout last December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.