IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) weighed in at 146 lbs, whereas Challenger Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs) got here in at 146.6 kilos for his or her 12-round headliner this Saturday, November ninth on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
WBC tremendous flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) weighed in at 114.8 lbs, and Challenger Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs) got here in at 114.4 lbs for his or her 12-round co-feature bout on the cardboard.
Saturday’s Ennis vs. Chukhadzhain occasion can be proven dwell on DAZN starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Weights
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis 146 vs. Karen Chukhadzhian 146.6
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez 114.8 vs. Pedro Guevara 114.4
There’s not a variety of fan curiosity on this card regardless of the promotional muscle Matchroom and DAZN have put behind it. The issue is there’s no demand for a rematch between Boots and Chukhadzhian in the principle occasion. Bam Rodriguez, 24, isn’t well-known to informal boxing followers for these causes:
– Youth
– Preventing in decrease weight lessons
– Lack of expertise towards elite-level competitors
“It price me a load of cash, however what would you like me to do about it? Sulk? It’s the principles,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Boxing Information about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis being ordered to struggle Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch, which few individuals are enthusiastic about seeing.
Hearn might have put his foot down and refused to permit Ennis to struggle Chukhadzhian in a rematch as a result of it is a transfer that hurts each. Ennis profession can be stunted with a majority of these fights, and it does nothing for Hearn.
“I actually admire the IBF for sticking by their guidelines, nevertheless it frustrates the life out of me that they don’t apply widespread sense to this station. We needed extra time to make the Brian Norman struggle for the unification struggle,” mentioned Hearn.
Even with extra negotiating time, Hearn wouldn’t have gotten the unification match with WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. put collectively for Boots as a result of he needed more cash than he was prepared to pay. Hearn might have had ages, however he nonetheless wouldn’t have gotten the deal achieved with out arising with the additional $500,000 that Norman Jr. needed.
“We ran out of time. We had a handbag bid. It was both lose your belt or struggle Chukhadzhian,” mentioned Hearn. “I mentioned to Boots, ‘You inform me what you wish to do, mate. I’ll again you 100%. If I’ve to stay the cash up for this struggle, I’ll stick the cash up as a result of it’s a part of a long-term plan. You’re going to be ruling the game for a very long time.’”
We don’t know if Ennis can be ruling the game for a very long time, as Hearn says. We all know if Boots stays at welterweight, he might maintain onto his IBF title for probably a very long time, however that’s solely as a result of the division is weak. It’s maybe the weakest stage in 20+ years. All of the gifted fighters are at 154, and Boots doesn’t wish to transfer up for some purpose. Is it concern? Some boxing followers consider that’s the explanation Boots would have the simple pickings at junior middleweight, which he does at 147.
The most effective fighters at 147:
- Jaron Ennis
- Brian Norman
- Mario Barrios
- Eimantas Stanionis
- Ryan Garcia
- Devin Haney
“He mentioned, ‘I need the belts at 147.’ I mentioned, ‘Then let’s struggle him. Get it achieved. I’m going to construct a large card. Let’s make it occur. So, we did it, and on Saturday night time, I feel we’re going to get a great struggle,” mentioned Hearn.
If Ennis goes to remain at welterweight till he accomplishes his aim of turning into undisputed, he have to be ready to sacrifice time in his profession. So long as Ennis is ok with staying at welterweight for an additional three or 4 years to perform his aim, he’ll be tremendous. He could also be in his 30s by the point he does, and it’ll be harder for him to transition into the 154-lb weight class when he does transfer up.
