“WHAT makes me the best in the division? I can do everything, whatever you want, I got it.” Those were the assured words of Jaron Ennis as he prepares for a homecoming special this weekend.
The IBF welterweight champion, known colloquially as ‘Boots’, reckons his replacement opponent in the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, David Avanesyan, is better than the original.
Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he? IBF mandatory Cody Crowley was an intriguing opponent, given the fact that he had not yet stepped up to world level. The Canadian, therefore, brought with him an air of mystery as to what he could offer.
For all of his toughness, Avanesyan has been there, tried it and got sent packing by Terence Crawford, the man who released the full IBF title into Ennis’ hands.
Crowley initially turned up at the announcement press conference, was diabolically heckled by the crowd (some of it was distastefully personal, especially as Crowley comes across as an all-around decent individual), and seemed up for the task. Then, an ongoing eye concern curtailed his big opportunity. Avanesyan was quickly drafted in and here we are.
Ennis, 31-0 (28 KOs), has his own views on the substitute opponent and some wider views on exactly what he needs to do in order to unify titles and fulfil his clear potential.
“Staying active is the key. Having this time off isn’t going to affect me at all. I just want to get back in the ring. It’s a better fight than Cody Crowley but I’ll beat him up, break him down and get the knockout!” rapped Ennis.
“It’s been a minute. I know y’all missed me. Fighting at home is everything to me. It’s where I’m from, it’s where I started. I’ll fight anyone, I don’t care who it is, I just want to get back in the ring, and someone is going to pay.”
July 10th, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jaron “Boots” Ennis at the first face off ahead of their bout on July 13th, 2024 at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom.
Basing himself in the UK, under the watchful eye of Carl Greaves and company, David Avanesyan has enjoyed an eclectic career. His Stateside credibility as an Ennis opponent comes largely from a sixth-round bludgeoning at the fists of Terence Crawford in late 2022.
That fight was televised on BLK Prime, who were talking takeovers at the time but have evaporated since into a broadcasting abyss, showing only minor shows here and there. Six years before the Crawford shelling, Avanesyan hoovered up the last remaining credible crumbs of ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley’s career.
Between those two landmark moments came a highly successful European title run that started with a double myth-busting of Kerman Lejarraga and included a savage scalping of unbeaten prospect Josh Kelly.
While he carries the confidence of a quality operator, does Avanesyan, 30-4-1 (18 KOs), have a strong shot of winning rounds or going one better and causing the upset? It’s going to be a tough ask, but he sounds up for the challenge.
“Many people say ‘you are crazy’ but this is my life,” said Avanesyan. “I know only boxing – so you call me to say ‘you are fighting’ and I start training. I think that this is a 50-50 fight. He’s younger, He’s strong, it’s a very good fight.”
It is a good fight. Ennis, 26, is the favourite and for good reason. One of the most naturally gifted up-and-comers on the scene, all he needed was promotional backing, consistency and the platform to perform. Now he has all three, so all that’s left is for him to deliver the goods – in front of his hometown fans.
“I’m excited about collecting all the belts and becoming undisputed,” said Ennis. “July 13 is going to be fireworks, don’t miss it.