PHILADELPHIA, PA – It seems this was Jaron “Boots” Ennis' birthright. He always dreamed of fighting in front of a big crowd in his hometown of Philadelphia. When he signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom in April, getting that opportunity was part of a multi-fight deal.
On Saturday, it happens.
Ennis, The Ring's No. 1 contender. 2 welterweight, will be defending the IBF 147-pound title for the first time against David Avanesyan who is 30-4-1, 18 on Saturday night on DAZN. The real story is how wrestling sells. Hearn expects 14,000 to show up at Philadelphia's 21,000-seat Wells Fargo Center, home of the NBA's 76ers and the NHL's Flyers.
Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) will be fighting for the first time in over a year. He last fought on July 8, 2023, when he stopped Roiman Villa at 1:27 of the 10th round. Since then, he has been awarded the IBF title when Terence “Bud” Crawford left. This added motivation to the 27-year-old Philadelphian.
“That's not the way I wanted to win the world championship belt,” Boots told The Ring. “I wanted to get it in the ring. I wanted to doubt it. The other side of that is that I was waiting for Crawford and (Errol) Spence, and Eimantas Stanionis, and Cody Crowley, and any other valuer out there. None of them wanted to fight me. So, when I was told that I would get the IBF belt, I couldn't say 'no.' I know what I have worked for and I deserve it.
“It's just not the way I wanted the title belt around my waist. Now, I get to defend the title and everyone will be behind me. I am ready for you. I can't wait anymore. I'll have my fun on Saturday night. I'll be at home on the couch with my feet up.”
Avanesyan replaces IBF-bound Cody Crowley, who was pulled from the fight after failing a pre-fight eye test.
The undercard will also feature a 10-round WBC featherweight title fight between Skye Nicolson (10-0, 1 KO) and Diana Vargas (19-1, 12 KOs), and the other will take on the undefeated 21-year-old . Welterweight prospect Jalil Major Hackett (8-0, 7 KOs) vs. Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs).
“I know what's going to happen, it won't go past four rounds, maybe five rounds, I don't know,” said Derek “Bozy” Ennis, who is Boot's father, coach and manager. “It all depends on how Boot feels. We have fun boxing. We have fun doing what we do. It's a proud moment and a great opportunity to fight here. Thank you for everything (Matchroom) has done for us. You will see a great show on Saturday night. Every time we go out it's a special moment. No one took us to another level.”
Here are the weights:
IBF Welterweight title – 12 Rounds
Jaron Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs), 146.4 pounds vs. David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 knockouts), 147 pounds
Welterweights – 10 Rounds
Jalil Major Hackett (8-0, 7 KOs), 146.6 pounds vs. Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs), 146.4 pounds
WBC Featherweight title – 10 Rounds
Skye Nicolson (10-0, 1 KO), 125.6 pounds vs. Dyana Vargas (18-1, 12 KOs), 125.6 pounds
Heavyweights are easy – 10 Rounds
Khalil Coe (8-0-1, 6 KOs), 174 pounds vs. Kwame Ritter (11-1, 9 KOs), 173 pounds
Junior Lightweights – 10 Rounds
Christopher Diaz (28-4, 18 KOs), 131.4 pounds vs. Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo (12-1-1, 10 KOs), 131.4 pounds
Feathers – 8 Rounds
Christian Carto (22-1, 15 KOs), 124.4 pounds vs. Carlos Buitrago (38-13-1, 22 KOs), 125.8 pounds
Junior Welterweights – 6 rounds
Ismail Muhammad (4-0, 3 KOs), 144 pounds vs. Frank Brown (3-4-2, 1 KO), 144.2 pounds
Bantamweights – 4 Rounds
Dennis Thompson (Pro debut), 116.6 pounds vs. Fernando Joaquin Valdez (1-7), 119.2 pounds
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sports writer who has worked for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito
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