Jaron Ennis retained his IBF welterweight world title with a fifth round retirement victory over David Avanesyan in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) floored Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KOs) with a left hook in the fifth round and despite making it through to the bell, the Armenian’s corner withdrew him from battle at the end of the round.
Ennis, fighting in his hometown for the first time in almost six years, drew a crowd of over 14,000 to the Wells Fargo Center, in what was his first fight since signing with Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing.
Avanesyan, who replaced Cody Crowley at five weeks’ notice appeared to feel the power of ‘Boots’ from the opening round, stunned by a jab, as the home favourite switched seamlessly from orthodox to southpaw.
Ennis’ first round in a professional ring for over a year was almost flawless, until he caught Avanesyan with a low blow, with the 35-year-old writhing on the canvas in pain and given several minutes to recover.
The visitor switched to the southpaw stance himself in the second round and had success with his uppercut landing cleanly, but Ennis was landing combinations to head and body.
Avanesyan continued to march forward, although the champion continued to unload further punishing blows, sensing an imminent stoppage.
The 27-year-old finally made the breakthrough he was looking for in the fifth round, countering a right hand from Avanesyan with a brutal left hook which sent the challenger crashing to the canvas.
Avanesyan bravely rose to his feet and made it through to the end of the round, where his trainer Carl Greaves ended the bout.
‘Boots’, who made a successful first defence of his title after being upgraded from interim to full champion in November, targeted a showdown with long-time rival Terence Crawford in his post-fight interview, who knocked out Avanesyan in the sixth round of their battle in December 2022.
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“Let’s make it happen,” Ennis told DAZN.
“That’s what I want.
“I want the big names. Terence Crawford. Anybody else in that weight [class] that’s got a big name.
“Let’s get it.”
Hackett sees off tough Dobson
Jalil Hackett marked a successful Matchroom debut with a dominant unanimous decision victory over the tough Peter Dobson.
Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs), who signed with Matchroom in May, caused Dobson (16-2, 9 KOs) problems early on with his speed and power and the 34-year-old appeared in trouble in the fourth round, shipping considerable punishment with Hackett unloading combinations.
‘Pistol Pete’ took Conor Benn the distance in defeat in February and was not deterred despite the pressure from the Washington native and fought fire with fire at times and having success of his own in the second half of the bout.
‘Major’ Hackett claimed the WBA Continental North America Welterweight strap with two scores of 97-93 and another at 96-94.
Nicolson eases past Vargas to retain world title
Skye Nicolson made a successful first defence of her WBC featherweight world title, winning every round of 10 against in a comfortable victory over Dyana Vargas.
Vargas (19-2, 12 KOs) was frustrated throughout in her attempts to cut down the ring and catch the crafty Nicolson (11-0, 1 KO), who dominated the bout with her jab and movement.
The 28-year-old Australian had her best moment in the fifth, landing some eye-catching left hands which had the Dominican stumbling back.
Nicolson continued to make Vargas miss in the final few rounds and eased to a 100-90 verdict on all three judges’ scorecards.
Nicolson called for clashes with Raven Chapman and Tiara Brown after dismissing a showdown with unified WBA, WBO and IBF champion, Amanda Serrano, who she claims has no interest in an undisputed clash.
Coe blasts out Ritter
Khalil Coe secured his first professional title, the WBC USA light heavyweight crown with a ruthless second round stoppage over Kwame Ritter.
A pinpoint right hand had Ritter (11-2, 9 KOs) stumbling back before a follow-up left hook floored him in the second.
Khalil Coe STOPS Kwame Ritter 💥#EnnisAvanesyan | Tonight | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/HgsU4EaLfz
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 14, 2024
Coe (9-0-1, 7 KOs) sensed an imminent knockout and poured on the pressure with a barrage of shots before the referee relieved Ritter from battle.
‘Big Steppa’ called for a showdown with the winner of the September 21 all-British light heavyweight clash between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.
Remaining Undercard
Former super featherweight world title challenger, Christopher Diaz-Velez (29-4, 19 KOs) recorded a third straight stoppage, halting Derlyn Hernandez-Gearldo (12-2-1, 10 KOs) in the second round.
Philadelphia talent, Christian Carto (23-1, 16 KOs) halted former four-time world title challenger, Carlos Buitrago (38-14-1, 22 KOs) in the third round of their featherweight contest.
Super lightweight prospect, Ismail Muhammad (5-0, 3 KOs) climbed off the canvas to retain his undefeated record over four rounds against Frank Brown (3-5-2, 1 KO).
Dennis Thompson opened the show and the bantamweight prospect opened the show with a points victory on his professional debut against Fernando Joaquin Valdez.
