On a thrilling Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Jaron “Boots” Ennis successfully defended his IBF welterweight title with a TKO victory over David Avanesyan. The fight, watched by an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 14,000, marked the first defense of Ennis’s title and further solidified his reputation as one of boxing’s most promising stars.
The bout began with Ennis demonstrating his agility and control. In the first round, Ennis quickly took charge, delivering precise jabs while working the body effectively. Although Avanesyan managed to sneak in a right hand, he was caught off guard by a low blow from Ennis, which temporarily halted the action. After the brief interruption, Ennis continued to dominate, landing powerful punches and showing his superiority. The round ended with Ennis leading 10-9.
The second round saw Avanesyan starting to fight back, stalking Ennis and landing some notable punches. Despite Avanesyan’s efforts, Ennis maintained his composure and continued to pressure his opponent, ending the round ahead with a score of 20-18.
As the third round progressed, Ennis showcased his superior power and volume. Even though Avanesyan was resilient and persistent, Ennis’s increased pace and effective uppercuts kept him in control. Ennis’s ability to fight off the ropes while delivering impactful punches earned him a score of 30-27, with Avanesyan trailing.
In the fourth round, Ennis appeared increasingly comfortable, even as Avanesyan tried to close the gap. Ennis’s repertoire of punches, particularly his body shots, took their toll on Avanesyan. Despite some effort from the challenger, Ennis’s performance was commanding, leading 40-36 by the end of the round.
The fifth round saw a dramatic turn of events. Ennis slipped after missing a big right hand, and Avanesyan briefly capitalized on this opportunity. However, Ennis quickly regained his footing and continued to dominate. A powerful right hand from Ennis sent Avanesyan to the canvas. Although Avanesyan attempted to fight back and even landed a punch, Ennis’s relentless assault ultimately overwhelmed him. The referee, following the ringside physician’s advice, stopped the fight before the sixth round began, declaring Ennis the winner by TKO.
Ennis, now 32-0 with 29 knockouts, expressed a mix of satisfaction and self-criticism post-fight. “I knew I was too strong for him,” Ennis reflected. “I should have listened to my corner a little more. Jabbed a little more, got to that body a little more, more angles. … It’s OK.”
Fighting in his hometown was a significant boost for Ennis, who had been away from the ring for a year. He expressed a strong desire to face top names in the sport, including potentially moving up to 154 pounds to challenge Terence Crawford. Avanesyan, now 30-5-1, indicated that this fight was his last shot at a world title.
Ennis’s victory not only reaffirmed his position as a leading figure in the welterweight division but also showcased his readiness for future high-profile bouts.
