Jaron Ennis Dominates Villa In Stoppage Victory
Welterweights Jaron Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs, 1 NC) and Roiman Villa (26-2, 24 KOs) clashed in the Boardwalk Hall’s Ballroom in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The fight headlined a card broadcast live on Showtime. It was the second appearance of the year for both men, having previously fought different opponents on the undercard of Gervonta Davis-Hector Garcia on January 7. Ennis dominated from start to finish, winning the bout via tenth round stoppage.
Oh My 🥵
Boots stuns Villa at the end of round 6 đź‘Š@JaronEnnis | #EnnisVilla pic.twitter.com/OAmQqCtKL4
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 9, 2023
Ennis vs. Villa recap
In the opening round, Ennis had success with his jab, throwing it repeatedly to the head and body of Villa. Beginning in the orthodox stance, he switched to southpaw towards the end. He began the second in the same stance, continuing to have success with the jab and landing hard shots frequently. Villa’s nose was also bloodied in this round.
Ennis continued to tee off going into the third. However, Villa began to have some success, landing hooks and uppercuts. Despite the success, he struggled with the movement of Ennis and was unable to land as frequently and cleanly. Although he was being out landed in each round, Villa displayed incredible heart as he continued to march forward. In the final minute of the sixth, he was stunned. Ennis unloaded on Villa but was unable to put him away.
A left uppercut rocked Villa in the middle of the seventh round. He continued to display an incredible chin as he made it to the end of the round. Up until the tenth round, Ennis continued to dominate Villa.
Prior to the beginning of round ten, referee David Fields warned Villa’s corner that he would stop the fight should Villa continue to take punishment. One minute and 27 seconds into the round, Ennis landed a left hook followed by a right uppercut that sent his opponent to the canvas. The referee immediately waved it off, giving Ennis the TKO victory.
“My performance was good. A lot of things I could have done better,” Ennis told Showtime in the ring. “I could’ve listened to my corner more… I could have used more body shots, more angles….But at the end of the day I appreciate Villa taking this fight….I appreciate him being a warrior.”
With the victory, Ennis now awaits the winner of the upcoming clash between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford on July 29. He holds an IBF mandatory position (as well as an interim welterweight title) and should the winner of that fight not face him, Ennis could be promoted to a full titlist. Boxing fans can expect the title picture at welterweight to become much clearer in the coming weeks.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
