By: Sean Crose
“I’m excited to collect all the belts and become the undisputed champion,” said Jaron “Boots” Ennis on the eve of his IBF welterweight title defense against David Avanesyan. “July 13th is going to be fireworks,” Ennis continued, “don’t miss it.” It’s been a long time since Ennis has been in the ring, over a year in fact. Suffice it to say, Ennis made it clear that he doesn’t want to have that much free time anymore. “Staying active is key,” he said. “This break won’t affect me at all. I just want to get back in the ring.”
Ennis will face Avanesyan in front of his hometown crowd in Philadelphia, and he doesn’t intend to disappoint. “We haven’t had a big fight here in I don’t know how long, this is what the city needs. This homecoming is everything. It’s going to be a blessing to step out in front of my friends and family and finally shine. Knowing that I have my neighborhood and my city behind me, it’s a blessing and I’m going to continue to show up for those guys.”
Despite holding just one of the four major welterweight world titles, Ennis is confident that he is the top man in his weight class. “What makes me the best in this weight class?” Ennis asks. “I can do everything, anything you want, I can do.” As for Avanesyan: “This is a better fight than Cody Crowley, but I will beat him, knock him out, knock him out!” Of course, Avanesyan has other plans. “A lot of people say ‘you’re crazy’ but this is my life,” the underdog declares. “I only know boxing – so you call me and say ‘you’re fighting’ and I start training. I think it’s a 50-50 fight. He’s younger, he’s strong, it’s a very good fight.”
Avanesyan may believe Saturday’s fight will be a 50-50 affair, but most analysts would likely disagree. Ennis is essentially considered a fighter who is one big fight away from becoming a bona fide star. Stranger things have happened in boxing, though, so you never know. Indeed, that’s one of the biggest reasons fans find themselves tuning in. And, if the 27-year-old Ennis continues to make a killing at his craft, many fans are likely to see what the excitement is all about. After all, there’s good reason the Philly native wants to keep busy.
