It might be time for Jaron “Boots” Ennis to leave 147 pounds.
After vowing to knock out Karen Chukhadzhian in Saturday’s unpopular rematch at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) had to settle for another unanimous decision (119-107, 117-109, 116-110) to retain his IBF world welterweight title.
This contest was far more competitive than the pair’s first meeting in January 2023. Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) brought the fight to “Boots,” had no fear trading with him, and punched between Boots’ combinations — a tactic that repeatedly frustrated the Philadelphia boxing star. Ennis ultimately knocked down Chukhadzhian in Round 5 but couldn’t finish off the tough Ukrainian. It was a lackluster display from the IBF king, who was defensively poor and neglected his boxing skills and phenomenal jab.
In the post-fight interview, Ennis admitted it might be time for him to move up to 154 pounds. Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter of Vergil Ortiz Jr., immediately welcomed a clash between his fighter and the Eddie Hearn-promoted Ennis on social media. Should Ennis decide to finally move up to junior middleweight, an Ortiz bout would probably be the best fight that can be made for him — assuming Terence Crawford’s current ambitions in boxing are limited to a fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
In the co-featured bout, pound-for-pound star Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) produced a highlight-reel third-round right uppercut knockout of his mandatory challenger Pedro Guevara (42-5-1, 22 KOs).
Also on the undercard, Ray Ford was flawless in his junior lightweight debut, winning a shutout over Orlando Gonzalez; prospect Khalil Coe was halted in the ninth round by Manuel Gallegos in a major upset; and Austin “Ammo” Williams returned to his winning ways to open the main card.
Catch full results and highlights from Saturday’s championship double-header below.
WBC super flyweight title: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez def. Pedro Guevara via third-round TKO | Watch KO
Super featherweight: Raymond Ford def. Orlando Gonzalez via unanimous decision (99-89, 100-88, 100-88)
Light heavyweight: Manuel Gallegos def. Khalil Coe via ninth-round TKO | Watch KO
Middleweight: Austin Williams def. Gian Garrido via fifth-round TKO | Watch KO
Undercard (5:15 p.m. ET, DAZN)
Welterweight: Ismail Muhammad def. Nelson Morales via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 30-36)
Super featherweight: Zaquin Moses def. Michael Ruiz via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Super bantamweight: Dennis Thompson def. Edgar Ortiz Jr. via second-round TKO | Watch KO
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Ennis beats Chukhadzhian via UD
Jaron Ennis retains his IBF welterweight title with a competitive unanimous decision win (119-107, 117-109, 116-110) over Karen Chukhadzhian in their rematch in front of more than 10,000 fans in Philadelphia.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 12
The crowd is completely silent. Ennis won’t get the knockout and Chukhadzhian throws until the final bell, he had another good round in the 12th. Ennis was over-eager to get a knockout and paid the price for it with how much he got hit. Boots has his chin up and hands down up close. There was a lack of jabs in this fight and he didn’t properly break Chukhadzhian down. Maybe one of the other champions will fight Boots now.
10-9 Chukhadzhian, 115-111 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 11
A left uppercut early in the round from Ennis rocks Chukhadzhian. Chu lands a solid counter left hook and follows it up with 3 clean shots seconds later. Chukhadzhian is having his best round for a while. Ennis is really struggling with his defense and has completely neglected his long-range boxing skills.
10-9 Chukhadzhian, 106-101 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 10
Chukhadzhian hurt in Round 10 and holds to try and survive. The referee takes a point away from Chukhadzhian seconds later for holding. Chukhadzhian getting hit with some big shots now, and Ennis is moving closer to a stoppage.
10-9 Ennis + point deduction for Chukhadzhian, 97-91 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 9
Scrappy 9th round, with a lot of holding from Chukhadzhian. Ennis is struggling to get his work off as Chukhadzhian is smothering him as soon as they get close.
10-9 Ennis, 87-83 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 8
Ennis is walking Chukhadzhian down. He lands with a combination, which stuns Chukhadzhian — three or four clean punches there but the Ukrainian stands up to it. Chukhadzhian lands with a hard left hook that rocks Boots, and finishes the round with a couple of good right hands. Ennis’ defense is very poor tonight.
10-9 Ennis, 77-74 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 7
Very competitive Round 7. Chukhadzhian landed with a left hook and followed it up with a hard right hand just seconds later. An overhand left lands for Chukhadzhian. Boots is trying hard to land power shots on Chukhadzhian, but he is leaving himself open for counters while he does it.
10-9 Chukhadzhian, 67-65 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 6
Ennis looking for the finish in round six but Chukhadzhian isn’t ready to wilt yet, and is still firing back. Boots is trying to throw short power shots on the inside, uppercuts and hooks. He is told in the corner to, “Get [Chukhadzhian] out of there already!”
10-9 Ennis, 58-55 Ennis.
Video: Ennis knocks down Chukhadzhian in round 5
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 5
Boots lands a three-punch combination on Chukhadzhian. The final shot, a right uppercut, seems to have done some damage to Chukhadzhian. Ennis follows it up with a pair of overhand lefts. Chukhadzhian is backed up on the ropes, caught with a combination, a right uppercut forces Chukhadzhian to TAKE A KNEE!
10-8 Ennis, 48-46 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 4
Ennis and Chukhadzhian trade right hands early in Round 4. Ennis caught him big with a right uppercut but the Ukrainian fired back with an overhand right. Chukhadzhian has switched the direction of his right hand to the torso as Ennis is moving his head. Chukhadzhian lands a combination in the final few seconds. Another competitive round.
10-9 Chukhadzhian, 38-38.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 3
Right hand, left hook from Chukhadzhian lands on Ennis’ chin. Chukhadzhian is creating angles to find an opening for his power shots. Boots responds well though and backs Chukhadzhian against the ropes, a combination seemed to land on Chukhadzhian and momentarily hurt him. Unclear what the shot was that hurt Chukhadzhian.
10-9 Ennis, 29-28 Ennis.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 2
Chukhadzhian finding a home for his left hook, Ennis needs to tighten up his defence. Boots lands a nice right hook on the side of Chukhadzhian’s head, those kinds of punches can affect the equilibrium of a fighter and you see that with Chukhadzhian’s legs. Boots with some flashy head movement at the end of Round 2.
10-9 Ennis, 19-19.
Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian – Round 1
The rematch is vastly different from the first fight. Chukhadzhian has come to put the pressure on Boots rather than dance around the ring. It’s Ennis on the back foot. Chukhadzhian is throwing in-between Boots and connects with a left hook on Boots’ chin, Boots was off balance with that shot.
10-9 Chukhadzhian.
Main Event next: Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) makes the second defense of his IBF welterweight title against his mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs).
Ennis dominated Chukhadzhian to win the interim title in Jan. 2023 and would eventually be upgraded to full champion. He made the first defence of the crown last time out by stopping David Avanesyan.
Chukhadzhian “earned” a rematch with Ennis by beating Hary Scarff in their IBF-ordered final eliminator, which took place in May.
Video: Rodriguez knocks down and out Guevara
Rodriguez vs. Guevara – Round 3
A left uppercut from Rodriguez shovels up on the nose of Guevara. LEFT-HAND in the middle of an exchange floors Guevara in the final minute. Guevara gets up but is instantly met by a combination from Bam. The Mexican is going to fight fire with fire but it’s not going to end well for him. A brilliant right uppercut from Bam KNOCKS OUT Guevara in round 3. Tremendous showing from a pound-for-pound top fighter.
Rodriguez vs. Guevara – Round 2
Right hook, right uppercut combination from Rodriguez, he created an angle for that right uppercut by shifting to the left. Guevara is aiming for the body trying to slow down Bam. Brilliant left uppercut from Bam. Both men working the body, Bam connects with an overhand left.
10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez
Rodriguez vs. Guevara – Round 1
Guevara moving around the ring early, Bam pressuring the Mexican with his feet and looking to close the distance. Right hook from Rodriguez around the side of the head, maybe near the back of the head. Guevara is off balance.
10-9 Rodriguez
Liam Paro & Richardson Hitchins in heated face off ahead of Dec. 7
Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins face off in the ring at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Paro, who pulled off a major upset over Subriel Matias in Matias’ backyard to win the IBF crown, returns to Puerto Rico on Dec. 7 to make the first defence of his title against the undefeated mandatory challenger Richardson Hitchins.
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