Jaron Ennis returns for a second straight fight at the Wells Fargo Center in his hometown of Philadelphia, as he defends his IBF welterweight title against Ukrainian challenger, Karen Chukhadzhian in a barely-needed rematch of their 2023 original meeting.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote Ennis vs Chukhadzhian, whilst DAZN televise the card live worldwide.
Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) is one of the sport’s hottest properties, as the owner of one of the longest unbeaten runs in boxing, and ‘Boots’ went 21 straight fights without having to hear the final bell before facing Chukhadzhian for the first time in January 2023.
On that night in Washington, the 27-year-old won every round to take the interim IBF title, although the visitor did give a good account of himself in defeat, pushing Ennis before falling to a landslide loss.
Since their clash, ‘Boots’ knocked out Roiman Villa in ten before being upgraded to full champion, where he made a first defence in July, forcing the tough David Avanesyan to retire after five rounds.
Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs) has regrouped since with three straight wins, and he worked his way back up to mandatory challenger within the IBF by winning the Intercontinental title, and he defended that in May in Germany, taking a points win over Harry Scarff.
Prediction: Ennis will want to secure another early win, but he found Chukhadzhian a tough nut to crack in their first encounter, and he may have to be patient again, and take another points win that will hopefully lead to a unification fight next.
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Bam Rodriguez returns
The undercard sees another pound-for-pound star in action, as Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez defends his WBC super flyweight title for the first time in his second spell as champion, against former light flyweight champion, Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs).
Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) broke out in February 2022, winning the WBC super flyweight title at short notice on the cards against Carlos Cuadras, and he defended twice before dropping back down to flyweight to take the WBO title in April last year.
The 24-year-old added the IBF crown with a superb ninth round retirement win over Sunny Edwards last December, and then moved back up to take on Juan Francisco Estrada for his old WBC super flyweight belt in June.
It was a thriller, with ‘Bam’ behind on one card and level on another, before he found the punches to score a seventh round stoppage.
He now takes on former titlist Guevara, 35, who is the interim champion at super flyweight after taking a split decision in Australia against Andrew Moloney in May.
Prediction: Rodriguez is a special talent, and I think he can make a real statement here, and become the first man to win early against Guevara.
Ford looks to bounce back
In ten rounders, Raymond Ford (15-1-1, 8 KOs) returns from defeat to Nick Ball, and the loss of his world title, and he should take a points win against Orlando Gonzalez (23-2, 13 KOs) as he moves up to super featherweight for the first time.
Coe clashes with Gallegos
Khalil Coe (9-0-1, 7 KOs) also sees action, and the light heavyweight can win via stoppage against Manuel Gallegos (20-2-1, 17 KOs) who was stopped in four by Diego Pacheco in his last contest.
It’s different when @Khalilcoe1 gets hold of you 💣#CoeGallegos #EnnisChukhadzhian #RodriguezGuevara pic.twitter.com/QSvMUQpn1U
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 4, 2024
Remaining Undercard
Unbeaten super lightweight prospect, Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) can win early once again, this time against Jesus Saracho (14-2-1, 11 KOs).
The sole eight rounder comes at middleweight, where Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (16-1, 11 KOs) returns after a stoppage defeat to Hamzah Sheeraz in June, and he should take an early win against Gian Garrido (11-1, 8 KOs).
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There is also a single six rounder, where Ismail Muhammad (5-0, 3 KOs) can halt Nelson Morales (5-18, 2 KOs) in their welterweight meeting.
In four round action, Dennis Thompson (2-0, 1 KO) should take the early route to win his super bantamweight contest against Edgar Ortiz Jr (8-5-2, 4 KOs), and debutant Zaquin Moses can do the same against Michael Ruiz (1-4) at super featherweight.
