Jaron Ennis is clearly the No. 1 welterweight behind solely Ring champ Terence Crawford. Picture by Amanda Westcott/Matchroom
PHILADELPHIA — Jaron Ennis’ IBF welterweight title protection towards David Avanesyan final Saturday pulled within the appreciable gate of $1,188,430, The Ring has discovered.
The Ennis-Avanesyan gate receipts are spectacular contemplating the Philly native had not fought in his hometown since 2018 however was nonetheless in a position to entice an introduced attendance of 14,119 to the 21,000-seat Wells Fargo Middle with out a high-profile opponent.
The promotion acquired a substantial push from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, who signed the gifted welterweight earlier this 12 months, however was solely marginally helped by the Philadelphia sports activities media.
The 14,119 determine is the very best attendance for an indoor card in Philadelphia since Marvin Hagler beat Bennie Briscoe by 10-round determination on August 24, 1978, on the defunct Philadelphia Spectrum (14,930).
Ennis-Avanesyan is the second-highest attended battle in the US this 12 months, behind the introduced crowd of 18,040 between MMA stars Nate Diaz-Jorge Masvidal on July 6 on the Honda Middle in Anaheim, California. The occasion’s attendance quantity outdid the Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney match on April 20, which drew an introduced crowd of 13,382 ($4,356,065 gate) from 11,480 offered to Brooklyn’s Barclays Middle.
The Ennis-Avanesyan numbers are notably spectacular, contemplating the shortage of native media the battle attracted. The one main media outlet that lined the battle was The Inquirer, with just a few pre-fight tales and battle evening protection. Apart from that, the battle went largely ignored within the Philadelphia sports activities media.
The cardboard was bolstered, nonetheless, by Washington. D.C. welterweight standout Jalil Hackett, and several other hometown fighters, together with junior welterweight Ismail Muhammad, featherweight Christian Carto and bantamweight Dennis Thompson, who made his professional debut.
The Philadelphia boxing neighborhood responded in power, filling the decrease bowl of the Wells Fargo Middle, the place the NBA’s 76ers and NHL’s Flyers play their dwelling video games.
Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Middle, needs Ennis again later in 2024.
Hearn pledged to make it occur.
“If Boots received over 14,000 for Avanesyan, who fought a troublesome battle, who is aware of what Boots would attract a title battle towards (WBC titlist Mario) Barrios or (WBA titlist Eimantas) Stanionis,” Hearn instructed The Ring. “We’re coming again right here. The numbers say this did properly. We’re blissful. I do know Boots is blissful, and the individuals who personal the Wells Fargo Middle should be blissful.
“This was an enormous occasion, and the response says it was. And take into consideration this, Boots did this on his personal. (Matchroom) had rather a lot to do with that, however it says one thing about Philadelphia boxing followers. This says that they acknowledge expertise, they acknowledge a champion. Boots is every part that’s good about boxing, and we’d in all probability have a look at a date within the fall to convey him again.”
Ed Kunkle, the Govt Director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Fee, was in a position to touch upon the introduced attendance.
“The 14,119 is implausible,” he stated. “We’re very proud of the turnout. The promoter was very proud of the turnout, and I do imagine that they are going to be again quickly with one other occasion. After I went within the again earlier than the battle to speak to Boots and Bozy (Ennis, Boots’ father and coach), I instructed them that they made it to the highest they usually took their metropolis with them.
“They didn’t should defend the title in Philadelphia. They wished to offer again to everybody who supported them. It exhibits Philadelphia can help main fights—and this battle proves it. Philadelphia is a good battle metropolis.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Comply with @JSantoliquito