Jaron Ennis to face David Avanesyan July 13

In an unexpected twist, Jaron “Boots” Ennis will defend his IBF welterweight title against David Avanesyan on Saturday, July 13, in Philadelphia. This fight will be the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card, broadcast live on DAZN.

David Avanesyan steps in as a late replacement for Cody Crowley, who had to withdraw from the fight after failing an eye exam.

Ennis (31-0, 28 KO), a 26-year-old phenom, is widely regarded as one of boxing’s brightest rising stars. This bout marks his first under the Matchroom banner after moving from the Premier Boxing Champions stable. Ennis captured the interim IBF title in early 2023 and was later elevated to full champion status when Terence "Bud" Crawford declined to face him, opting instead to move up in weight.

David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KO), a seasoned 35-year-old fighter originally from Russia and now based in the UK, brings experience to the ring. Known for his gritty performances, Avanesyan has faced top competitors like Lamont Peterson, Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, and Crawford, who stopped him in the sixth round of their 2022 bout. Despite these setbacks, Avanesyan enjoyed a dominant run in the European circuit from 2019-2022, which eventually led to his opportunity against Crawford. His most recent outing was in December, in a routine middleweight tune-up fight in Birmingham, England.

Given the short notice, Avanesyan provides a respectable challenge for Ennis. While not the most threatening opponent on paper, he is a credible and experienced fighter, particularly given the current limited options in the welterweight division. Matchroom Boxing has managed to secure a viable contender for Ennis, maintaining the excitement and competitiveness of the main event despite the unforeseen change.