Jaron Ennis staked his claim to being one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world Saturday night. The reigning IBF welterweight champion defended his title over Karen Chukhadzhian.
Following 12 rounds of action live on DAZN, Ennis was declared the unanimous decision winner. Scores were read off, 119-107, 117-109 and 116-110.
The 27-year-old Ennis improved to 33-0 with two wins over Chukhadzhian, who is now 24-3 in his career. In early 2023, Ennis scored a victory over his rival.
For Ennis, he made it known that his next fight could happen at a new weight class. He holds one of the 147-pound titles along with Brian Norman Jr. (WBO), Eimantas Stanionis (WBA) and Mario Barrios (WBC). Terence Crawford is the WBC welterweight champion in recess.
“If we can get one of these guys to stop playing, let’s make it happen,” he said. “But if not, 154 here I come.”
As for the potential move up, that would mean several big names. Reigning champions there include Crawford (WBA, interim WBC), Sebastian Fundora (WBC, WBO), Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF) and Jermell Charlo (WBA in recess, WBC in recess). Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the interim WBC champion.
In the co-main event, Jesse Rodriguez earned a devastating third round TKO over Pedro Guevara. With the victory, Rodriguez left the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the WBC super flyweight champion.
Raymond Ford topped Orlando Gonzalez on points, Manuel Gallegos finished Khalil Coe and Austin Williams did the same to Gian Garrido.
Prelim winners included Ismail Muhammad, Zaquin Moses and Dennis Thompson
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