Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, the unbeaten IBF welterweight champion, is preparing for his 33rd career win as he signals a return to the ring. Ennis currently holds an impressive record of 32-0, with 29 of those victories coming by knockout. While he hasn’t officially announced his next opponent, his promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Ennis plans to stay in the 147-pound welterweight division with the goal of unifying the titles.
Hearn is actively negotiating a fight with IBF mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian. The ideal venue for the fight is Philadelphia, where Ennis has a strong fan base, but there are potential hurdles if Chukhadzhian’s camp insists on staging the fight in Germany. Hearn’s recent loss in the purse bid for this bout raised eyebrows, especially given Ennis’ rising star power.
Ennis and Chukhadzhian first met in the ring on January 7, 2023, where Ennis dominated over 12 rounds to claim a unanimous decision victory with a score of 120-108. Although Chukhadzhian adopted a defensive approach in an attempt to slow Ennis, he couldn’t withstand the power and precision of Ennis’ punches. It was a notable match as it marked the first time Ennis went the full 12 rounds.
Strategically, Ennis’ decision to remain at 147 pounds is seen as wise. Moving up to 154 pounds could expose him to greater dangers, as the competition in that division is larger and potentially more powerful. While Ennis triumphed over Roiman Villa and David Avanesyan with knockouts, both fights saw him take significant damage. A move to 154 could present challenges similar to those faced by Terence Crawford, who struggled with the size and power of his opponents after moving up.
In summary, Ennis is focused on continuing his journey in the welterweight division, with Karen Chukhadzhian likely being his next challenger. A move to a higher weight class remains uncertain due to the potential risks. This next fight will be crucial in Ennis’ path toward title unification and further cementing his legacy.
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