Matchroom Boxing Eyes Major Opponent for Jaron Ennis’ Hometown Title Defence Amid Negotiation Challenges

Dan Rafael via his Fight Freaks Unite Substack is reporting that Matchroom Boxing are working on plans for Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) to defend his IBF welterweight on November 9 on DAZN. The report also reveals that according to sources another Philadelphia hometown fight is a possibility.

Matchroom Boxing Planning Next Fight for Jaron Ennis After David Avanesyan Win

Ennis Ordered to Face Karen Chukhadzhian

Ennis defeated David Avanesyan at the Wells Fargo Center on July 13 in the first defence of his IBF strap. It was a dominating win for “Boots” in what was the largest attendance for a boxing event in Philadelphia in 46 years, since Marvin Hagler, two years before he won the undisputed middleweight championship, outpointed Bennie Briscoe before 14,930 at the famed Spectrum in 1978.

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The next opponent of Ennis has yet to be confirmed – but the IBF have decided to order him to fight mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs), despite Ennis comfortably defeating the Ukrainian fighter by a shut-out unanimous decision, with all three scorecards reading 120-108. As Jaron Ennis prepares for his next bout, some fans might look into crypto-powered casino platforms to enjoy gaming with the latest digital currency options.

Bypassing the Mandatory

The IBF have given all involved until August 30 to strike a deal, but there is another option for the Philly fighter to bypass the mandatory. Under IBF rules, you can bypass your mandatory if a unification fight can be agreed. For Ennis, that would mean a bout against Mario Barrios (WBC), Eimantas Stanionis (WBA) or Brian Norman (WBO) would need to be made.

Hearn has made it clear he’s not happy with the IBF ruling and is seemingly working hard to find an alternative solution – but negotiations for a unification fight are not proving easy. According to Rafael, Hearn has made “substantial” offers to PBC/TGB Promotions for Barrios and Stanionis. These offers have been rejected as PBC/TGB does not see the offer as being anywhere near acceptable, despite Hearn describing them as substantial.

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Matchroom have experienced more challenging negotiations, this time with Top Rank for Brain Norman Jr., with a source with knowledge telling FFU the offer was not remotely enough money. The source also revealed Norman and Top Rank are willing to make that fight if an acceptable offer is made. If Ennis-Norman can’t be made, it looks likely “Boots” will have to face Chukhadzhian once more.