'Boots' Ennis breaks down Chukhadzhian in rematch, retains title

Jaron "Boots" Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian via unanimous decision (119-107, 117-109, 116-110) to retain the IBF welterweight title in a rematch Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center in his hometown of Philadelphia.

Ennis previously won a unanimous decision over Chukhadzhian in January 2023 to capture the division's interim belt.

Ennis was a step ahead for most of the second meeting, though Chukhadzhian held his own and went toe to toe with the champion in some exciting exchanges. Ennis had a slightly higher output and the bigger moments overall - including a knockdown in the fifth round - to seal the judges' nod.

Ennis was around a 40-1 betting favorite going into the rematch with Chukhadzhian. He said he believes facing higher-ranked opponents will help elevate his game.

"I think it's the bigger fights. ... That's what's gonna make me better," Ennis said in his postfight interview. "I need them top guys."

Ennis hinted he could move up from 147 to 154 pounds in his next bout. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he'd like to see a matchup with junior middleweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. come to fruition, though Hearn added that Ennis unifying the welterweight division is also a possibility.

Hearn called Saturday's main event "a good fight" but was somewhat critical of Ennis' showing, choosing instead to boost up Chukhadzhian.

"I thought it was a great performance from Chukhadzhian. ... 'Boots' isn't always switched on," Hearn said.

WBA junior middleweight champion and pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford reacted to Ennis' victory and offered the 27-year-old some advice on X:

Ennis topped Chukhadzhian 224-173 in total punches and 177-128 in power shots.

His best moment of the fight came in the fifth when he landed a big right hand and a flurry of punches to force Chukhadzhian to take a knee in the corner of the ring, resulting in a knockdown. Ennis continued to outwork Chukhadzhian throughout the rest of the contest but absorbed several hard shots himself. The referee deducted a point from Chukhadzhian in the 10th round for excessive holding.

With the victory, Ennis defended his 147-pound throne for the third time and improved to 33-0 (1 NC) as a pro. The Philadelphia native was promoted to full champion in 2023 after Crawford left the division. Saturday marked just the fourth time Ennis has gone the distance.

Chukhadzhian, a 28-year-old Ukrainian, saw his three-fight winning streak end. He's now 24-3 as a pro.