Boxing
Ennis ‘played’ with Avanesyan, not focusing on surpassing Crawford
Published
4 months agoon
By
J. HumzaPromoter Eddie Hearn says Jaron “Boots” Ennis played David Avanesyan on Saturday night, not trying to outdo Terence Crawford, beating him faster than he did two years ago.
(Source: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Whether Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) tried to stop Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KOs) faster than Crawford, he did so, getting stopped in the fifth round during his successful IBF welterweight title defense at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Having fun in the ring
It took Crawford six rounds to stop Avanesyan on December 10, 2022, and he did it using exploding gloves.
“I think it was the way he did it. You have to remember he was out of the game for a year,” Eddie Hearn told mediareacting to Jaron “Boots” Ennis stopping David Avanesyan faster than Terence Crawford did in December 2022.
“With all due respect to Avanesysan, he was really having fun with him. He didn’t let them hit him, but he had no respect for what was coming back,” Hearn continued. “He was trying to have fun in there. He was trying to get him out of there.”
Boots Ennis was heavily targeted as he adjusted to Avanesyan, fighting him on the inside where the challenger wanted the fights to take place on the battlefield. While most fighters would have chosen to fight to their abilities, Ennis allowed Avanesyan to have his way, fighting him on the inside for the entire five-round fight, and ultimately came out on top.
Ennis’s “Average” Self-Esteem
“He tried to be aggressive, but he had been out of the ring for a year. I think he thought his performance was pretty average, Boots. I said, ‘If that was an average performance, you just destroyed Avanesyan. It was so one-sided. I know Avanesyan was trying. He landed some pieces and pieces,'” Hearn said.
Avanesyan landed a lot of demanding punches on Ennis that would have knocked out many fighters with smaller chins. After the fight, Ennis’ lips were swollen from the punches he took and he looked like he had been through a lot.
Striving for stronger competition
“The problem is away from Stanionis and away from Barrios, I want to see him tested because when you have someone like Shakur, because Shakur fighting those guys is a bit of a waste of time. Who wants to see 120-108 three times for a one-sided thrashing?”
The problem is that Mario Barrios and Eimantas Stanionis won’t be testing Boots Ennis. If anything, it’ll be easier for him to beat them than Avanesyan because they’re not gigantic punchers.
The only way to test Ennis would be to move up to 154 pounds. WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. is the only welterweight who could test Boots Ennis, but he’s on Top Rank and they’re probably saving him for Teofimo Lopez, one of their own.
“So you can get involved, but you have to create the gigantic fights so they can shape their legacy with those gigantic fights,” Hearn said.
Ennis needs to move up to 154 and 160 if he wants to be tested by anyone. Staying at welterweight and focusing on becoming undisputed against delicate champions Stanionis and Barrios won’t work.
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
1 day agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
2 days agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis defeats David Avanesyan in five rounds
“DON’T LIKE BUD’S STYLE vs BOOTS” – Russell Brothers DEBATE WHO WINS Terence Crawford vs Jaron Ennis
‘ANTHONY JOSHUA REMATCH WILL NEVER HAPPEN!’ – Frank Warren on Dubois, PAUL VS TYSON
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