Jaron Ennis defended his share of the 147lbs championship with a flat efficiency in entrance of his hometown crowd, taking a unanimous resolution victory over Ukrainian fighter Karen Chukhadzhian on Saturday evening on the Wells Fargo Middle.
Often known as Boots, Ennis gained 119-107, 117-109, 116-110 on the scorecards to retain the IBF welterweight championship.
The 27-year-old Ennis, out of northwest Philadelphia, fought for the second time this yr on the Philadelphia enviornment residence to each the 76ers and Flyers.
Ennis (33-0) was on the point of victory within the fifth spherical after a sequence of physique pictures dropped Chukhadzhian to his proper knee in a nook and bought an increase out of the Philly crowd.
Ennis’ nook barked on the fighter to get Chukhadzhian “outta right here already!” deep into the combat. Ennis has been touted as one the highest rising stars in a sport desperately in want of 1 in America.
He didn’t lose the hometown crowd. Ennis certain didn’t win over many different followers – particularly any first-time viewers who watched the cardboard on Dazn – with a stoppage by no means significantly inside attain, although going for the massive KO appeared to be his lone purpose.
It was a rematch of their January 2023 combat that Ennis gained by unanimous resolution. Ennis defended the welterweight title later that yr in opposition to Roiman Villa in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, and defeated David Avanesyan this yr in his Philly homecoming.
The most important knock on Ennis is his lack of protection.
Positive sufficient, Ennis stumbled within the first spherical after he was socked with a giant left hand, although he by no means left his toes. Chukhadzhian (24-3) was extra assertive within the rematch – and wanted to be after a broadly panned efficiency of their first combat. He landed his share of physique pictures, simply not sufficient to inflict severe injury or take sufficient rounds on the scorecards.
Ennis headlined a card in July that attracted a stunning 14,119 followers to the Wells Fargo Middle.
The gang Saturday evening didn’t fairly hit the July attendance mark, largely due to a rematch in opposition to a lackluster opponent. Nonetheless, about 10,000 followers had been solidly behind Boots and all raised their smartphones when the ring announcer implored them to “shine your gentle for Boots!”
Ennis wore steel shoulder spikes and purple and white trunks as he was walked to the ring accompanied by rapper G Herbo.
Ennis has been vocal about eager to combat Errol Spence Jr or Terence Crawford. He’d additionally like a shot at Canelo Alvarez. Ennis additionally hasn’t dominated out a transfer up in weight class to 154lbs.
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez efficiently defended his share of the tremendous flyweight title with a TKO win over Pedro Guevara within the third spherical. The 24-year-old Rodriguez, out of San Antonio, knocked down Guevara twice within the third, the second time put the challenger on his again and that was sufficient for the referee to cease the combat.
Rodriguez (21-0) used a proper uppercut to ground Guevara (44-5-1) within the third spherical and stay on the prime of the 115-pound division.
“I’m fairly pleased however I already type of knew it was going to occur that manner,” he stated. “I actually thought he was going to face there and combat just a little extra.”
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