Saturday night sees IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fight in his first unification clash as he sets out to establish himself as an elite fighter in the sport and a pound-for-pound contender, taking on WBA title holder Eimantas Stanionis.
Ahead of what is sure to be a riveting bout, let’s look at the three best wins from Ennis so far.
WON RTD5 David Avanesyan – 13/7/2024 – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
After being upgraded to full IBF world champion when Terence Crawford was stripped of the title, Ennis had been linked to a mouth-watering meeting with ‘Bud’ but had yet to prove his worth as a champion.
In a homecoming bout at the sold-out Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphian needed to deliver for his fans and prove that he has both the necessary skills and superstar potential to represent the historic fighting city on the big stage.
Opting to take on the front-footed Avanesyan, 31-5-1 (19 KOs), who had fought Crawford less than two years prior, was an obvious move to advance a Crawford fight and build hype. Ennis shone in eye-catching style bettering Crawford’s result by a round. Ennis needed just five of them to dispatch of the Armenian, who retired in the corner after being dropped and battered during the fifth – proving that Ennis is both an upper echelon fighter and worthy titleholder.
WON KO6 Sergey Lipinets – 10/4/2021 – Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville
Albeit at 140lbs, Sergey Lipinets, 18-4-1, became the first former world champion to face Jaron Ennis when they collided on a COVID-19 restricted card in Connecticut, but the 23-year-old prospect looked right at home against the Russian veteran.
Although his defence was left wanting at times, Ennis showed that he has the guts and guile to succeed at the top level. Unmoved by the best shots from ‘Samurai’ he comfortably walked through the fire to press on and hand Lipinets a first stoppage defeat.
On the undercard, Stanionis put together a strong performance himself, outpointing Thomas Delorme in his own first win over a former world title challenger.
WON KO10 Roiman Villa – 8/7/2023 – Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
In a first and final defence of the IBF interim title, Ennis was tasked with hard-hitting and game Colombian Roiman Villa, 27-3 (25 KOs).
Villa attempted to back Ennis up and out-fight the American rather than outbox him, believing his best chance of victory to come in a gruelling back-and-forth battle than a technical chess match.
This style played directly into Ennis’ hands, who brutally beat Villa down until the South American could take no more and was sent crashing into the ropes after feeling the full force of a three-punch combination that registered a highlight reel knockout in round 10.
