WHILE it is true that nobody needed to see Jaron “Boots” Ennis stop David Avanesyan inside five rounds to know that Ennis is the superior fighter, that is not to say Ennis vs. Avanesyan was a wasted fight; or one that didn’t need to happen.
However, it was the perfect fight for Jaron Ennis at this point in his professional career for several reasons. Firstly, it provided him with the opportunity to headline an event in his hometown of Philadelphia and serve as a reminder of the days when local boxers attracted significant crowds. Secondly, Ennis is still in the process of establishing himself and his reputation, so this fight allowed him to continue building both his career and his public image. Lastly, although Avanesyan may not have been on Ennis’ level, he was a formidable opponent who displayed courage and competitiveness, ultimately bringing out the best in Ennis and thrilling the fans.
Ennis’ fifth-round stoppage of Avanesyan at Wells Fargo Center tonight (July 13) checked off numerous boxes. Not only did he retain his IBF welterweight title and maintain his unbeaten record of 32-0 (29) by stopping Avanesyan between rounds five and six, but he also showcased his skills and fearlessness at the end of the fight. This victory puts Ennis in a strong position to potentially face Terence “Bud” Crawford later this year. Crawford is scheduled to fight WBA super-welterweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3, but Ennis expressed his desire to face Crawford or any other big names in his post-fight interview.
Currently, it seems that the individuals funding and organizing the Crawford vs. Ennis fight are more motivated than the two fighters themselves. Eddie Hearn, Ennis’ new promoter, is particularly enthusiastic about it. Additionally, Turki Alalshikh, the individual responsible for the financial backing and promotion in the Middle East, is notably excited about the prospect of Crawford and Ennis facing off in the ring. After Ennis’ recent victory, Alalshikh took to social media to express his congratulations and his desire to see Ennis and Crawford compete at the 154-pound weight class in the near future.
Presently, it is evident that Turki Alalshikh holds immense power in the world of boxing. He has the ability to fulfill his desires, be it having promoters under his control or manipulating fighters into setting aside their pride and egos to resolve disputes within the ring. Whether we perceive it positively or negatively, this is the prevailing reality in the boxing industry.
Ennis establishes a connection with RiMelina Pizano from Matchroom.
The question of whether Ennis is ready for Crawford is not as clear-cut as one would hope. On one hand, Ennis has gained valuable experience from 32 professional fights and is now a mature 27-year-old. However, Ennis is still relatively unknown outside of boxing circles, and despite his talent, it is unlikely that a fight against Crawford would generate the same level of attention as Crawford’s 2023 bout against Errol Spence. This matchup seems to be more of a manufactured rivalry rather than a natural and longstanding one. It raises the question of whether the Crawford vs. Ennis fight is driven by a lack of alternatives rather than a genuine desire to see them face off. Nevertheless, Crawford, being 35 years old, can’t afford to be selective or wait any longer. He has already spent a significant portion of his career in obscurity and understands the importance of accumulating wins that will shape his legacy. Ennis, as a potential future opponent, will undoubtedly contribute to that goal.
Ennis is undeniably talented and tonight’s finishing shot against Avanesyan showcased his skill once again. It also reminded us of his killer instinct and ability to finish fights, similar to Crawford’s performance against Spence last year. What sets both Ennis and Crawford apart is their ability to impress with their skills and then close the show with aggression, making them more exciting to watch than other technicians who lack willingness. Both fighters may take more shots than they would prefer, but it never affects the final outcome. In the case of Ennis, he took more shots than desired against Avanesyan, but it only boosted Avanesyan’s false confidence and ultimately led to his defeat. Crawford, on the other hand, may not be the most elusive fighter, but he understands the importance of mentally and physically breaking his opponents as the fight progresses. Additionally, he values the significance of entertaining the audience.
Errol Spence is struck by Terence Crawford’s right hook (Getty Images).
In April, promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his thoughts on the Crawford vs. Ennis fight, stating, “I have high regard for Terence Crawford, but we’re prepared to take a risk, my friend – and we firmly believe we hold the upper hand.” Strictly speaking, this statement is not entirely accurate since there can only be one clear favorite in that bout (although its significance is debatable). Nevertheless, Hearn did provide a more coherent statement leading up to the Ennis vs. Avanesyan fight, proclaiming, “Without a doubt, Terence Crawford vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is the finest boxing match out there.”
That comment is one that can still be disputed – there are certainly bigger and more potentially exciting fights to be made in the sport – but from a technical standpoint it is hard to imagine too many fights trumping Crawford vs. Ennis at 154 pounds. Whether that’s ultimately enough for the fight to catch fire, both beforehand and during the fight itself, is anyone’s guess, yet such concerns are inconsequential really. If, in the end, Turki Alalshikh, everybody’s promoter, wants this fight to happen, rest assured that it will happen – and probably sooner than you think.
