Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis says he is ready to make a statement when he makes the first defense of his IBF welterweight title next month against substitute David Avanesyan on July 13 on DAZN at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KOs) was selected by Ennis’ new promoter, Eddie Hearn, as the replacement for scheduled opponent Cody Crowley, who was forced to withdraw due to health issues.
Hearn says that the striker should have been an opponent ranked in the list of 15 of the IBF, which is what he withdrew that Rashidi Ellis will fill his place. He felt that the 35-year-old Avanesyan was the best for Boot Ennis because he was known for his failure to win a title against WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in December 2022.
Hearn’s plan for Ennis’ Stardom
Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn wants to quickly turn Boot into a star and set him up for a fight against Crawford before the Nebraska native retires from the sport. That would have been the perfect way for Ennis to become a PPV star, as he would have to beat the old lion Crawford before he hangs up his gloves.
Unfortunately, Crawford wants nothing to do with Boot Ennis, and some believe he sees the writing on the wall against this guy, who is considered a better, stronger, younger version of himself.
Ennis’s Chance to Shine
“Cody is a good fighter, but Avanesyan, I think is a tough fight. Obviously, he has more credentials than Crowley, but Cody Crowley is undefeated,” said promoter Eddie Hearn speaking to YSM Sports Media, discussing the challenger to replace IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on July 13, in Philadelphia.
“The thing about Avanesyan is that he is very strong and he has a game. He saw it when he fought Crawford. He doesn’t back down, and it’s a real fight. I felt that Avanesyan was the toughest fight of all, and he was going to fight. Rashidi Ellis is not on the IBF list. So, we had to pick someone from the top 15.”
Avanesyan has been in the ring for two years since his loss to Crawford in 2022, making it difficult to assess how good a fighter is to replace Ennis.
While it’s true that #13 IBF Avanesyan is well-known to boxing fans following Crawford, he’s still in his 30s, and not as good as some of the top contenders in the IBF. standards.
“Shakhram Giyasov, the hero of Japan [Jin Sasaki]and Gabriel Valenzuela,” Hearn said of the other possible opponents to face Boots Ennis on July 13 after Crowley’s withdrawal.
2016 Olympian Giyasov (15-0, 9 KOs) would be a much more interesting opponent for Boot Ennis to fight than the 35-year-old Avanesyan.
7/13 🐺 WE ARE THERE! 🤐 #STATEMENT #PIACTour⚰️ 32-0 😈 #THIS IS🤴🏾 pic.twitter.com/nuVj4XegHp
– Boots (@JaronEnnis) June 28, 2024
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