David Avanesyan relishes his role as the underdog as he takes on Jaron Ennis

David Avanesyan, who sharpens his opponents, will do it again when he faces Jaron Ennis, who holds the IBF welterweight title, at the Wells Fargo Arena, Philadelphia, on Saturday.

Avanesyan, ranked No. 6 by The Ring at welterweight, is capable of becoming public enemy No. 1 and is taking a big step forward in his shot at a second world title.

“A ring is a ring,” Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 knockouts) told The Ring via longtime manager Neil Marsh. “I punched [Terence] Crawford, [Egidijus] Kavaliauskas, [Shane] Mosley, [Lamont] Peterson, Kerman Lejarraga, Josh Kelly, I don't care.

“I fought everyone in their backyard, a boxing ring is a ring. It doesn't matter, I have a lot of experience.”

Ennis was originally scheduled to face Cody Crowley. However, when the Canadian, rated number 5 by The Ring at 147 pounds, failed his pre-fight eye test, things opened up for Avanesyan, who had been training in Russia, and had 5 weeks to prepare.

“As late as it was to sign the fight, he was still in very good shape,” said Marsh, who traveled with his hero nine days before the fight to Philadelphia. “As he has grown up, the camps have become shorter. As he enters [to camp] a stone (14 kilograms) more than the weight of the fight, it is not far, he is very comfortable with it. It is a world title and he will do everything to win.”

The 35-year-old Russian, who is a 9/1 (+900) underdog, is not under the task ahead of him.

“I want the best fighters, he is one of the best fighters but that's what I want,” he said. “It's a good opportunity for me, it's not like I'm starting my career, I want the best. I love the fact that he is one of the so-called best.”

And he acknowledges Ennis' talent even though he believes he feels like he is his protection despite having only seen action in the 18 months since his loss to Crawford.

“He is very good but he is in danger of being beaten,” said Avanesyan. “Why [the inactivity] the problem? No problem, I'm hungry.

“I just want to beat him. My last chance.”

Meanwhile, he's hoping to take what he learned from Crawford and use that as extra motivation for the fight.

“Crawford is number 1 in the world [pound-for-pound] about me,” he explained. “It's a big experience for me, now when I face Ennis it's a big step for me. I do my best. I am giving everything to win this battle for my family.”

Marsh believes his fighter has nothing to lose and that makes him a tough proposition.

“I see it as difficult as the Crawford fight but Ennis was not working at the same level as Crawford,” Marsh commented. “David will improve Crawford's performance. One thing is for sure, David is very dangerous.

“We have not forgotten that we are young but I have one dangerous, reckless man and that is dangerous for Ennis.”

Ennis will be ending a year without action, the longest period of his professional career and making his first Matchroom start. I expect that and the participation in his hometown will bring out the best in the American, who will play a hot game before taking him out in the second half of the fight.

Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs), ranked No. 2 by The Ring at welterweight, he could be the next big star in boxing. He learned to box from a very young age, in Philadelphia, with his father and brothers.

The brilliant American switch-hitter has a combination of power and speed that has been a nightmare for anyone he has faced thus far. Indeed, the way the 27-year-old has brutally dispatched former junior welterweight title holders Sergey Lipinets (KO 6), Thomas Dulorme (KO 1), Custio Clayton (KO 2) and, most recently, Roiman Villa (KO 10) he narrates. everything you need to know.

Ennis-Avanesyan, along with the undercard bouts, will air on DAZN at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

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