Challenger Karen Chukhadzhian landed extra pictures on IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis than some other opponent he’s confronted throughout his eight-year professional profession final Saturday evening on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) got here up brief, shedding a 12-round unanimous choice, however Ennis knew he’d been in a battle afterward. His speech appeared slower, his face bruised and his lips swollen from the various arduous pictures he’d taken from Chukhadzhian.
Staff Ennis made many excuses for why the battle was so robust. The commonest excuse was that Boots wasn’t motivated for the battle towards Chukhadzhian as a result of he’d crushed him final yr. It regarded like a case of Chukhadzhian’s expertise being an issue for Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian Last Punch Stats
Jaron Ennis: Landed 224 of 730 pictures for a 30.7% join fee.
Chukhadzhian: landed 173 of 522 punches for a 33.1% join fee.
Ennis, 27, gained the battle by a 12-round unanimous choice with scores of 119-107, 117-109, and 116-110. He knocked Chukhadzhian down in spherical 5, and he was docked some extent for holding in spherical ten. Some followers felt the referee confirmed favoritism towards Boots as a result of he didn’t deduct some extent from Boots for all of the low blows.
After the battle, Ennis mentioned he’ll transfer as much as 154 if he can’t get a battle towards one of many champions at 147. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, sounds optimistic that he’ll be capable to arrange a battle with one of many champions now as a result of Ennis regarded weak towards Chukhadzhian.
“Nobody actually wished to see this battle. I took this battle as a result of I wished to remain busy,” mentioned Jaron Ennis to the media, discussing why he selected to battle Karen Chukhadzhian. “I didn’t wish to sit round for a yr. I’m not attempting to be stale and stuff like that.”
This excuse by Ennis was one of many issues he talked about for why he regarded poor towards Chukhadzhian, which is why some followers felt that he didn’t present class by failing to provide credit score to his conquer.
“That’s my obligatory. I needed to battle him. I mentioned I wished to get these belts at 147, but when I can’t get them, 154, right here I come,” mentioned Ennis. “I used to be prepared for something he had. I might have been method higher. I listened extra this time. I’ll battle anyone. I’m the perfect at this weight.”
It’s possible that Ennis will keep at 147 as a result of Hearn will set one thing up towards one of many champions or match him towards contenders Conor Benn or Ryan Garcia.
“I wish to be undisputed at 154. If these guys are taking part in round, and I can’t get a high title, I’m going to 154. I’ll be snug and method higher. I’m okay with that. If I’m going to 154, it’s what it’s. I’m going to marketing campaign there. I’m going to be method stronger and method higher. The most effective is but to return. You haven’t seen nothing but,” mentioned Boots.
Jaron Ennis talks potential subsequent steps within the 154lb division 👀#EnnisChukhadzhian pic.twitter.com/s7WjvIwipE
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 10, 2024
