After struggling through a nightmare fight against Karen Chukhadzhian last Saturday night, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis says he is willing to fight Ryan Garcia next at 147 if he wants to face him next after being called out by the highly-touted star.
Ryan watched IBF welterweight champion ‘Boots’ Ennis’ title defense against his mandatory Chukhadzhian last Saturday night and posted on X during the contest that he would “being knocked out by me.”
Boots willing to fight Garcia
Powerful left hook knockout artist Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) could be right. Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) was hit by virtually every punch that Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) threw at him last Saturday night in their headliner at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
One can assume that Ennis isn’t defensive enough to handle the left hook that Ryan would hit him with, and he wouldn’t last long against that power punch. It’s not just the power on Ryan’s left hooks, but rather the speed that hits. His opponents don’t see the shot coming, and this magnifies the force, making it even more devastating.
A report 10,000+ fans watch Chukhadzhian light up Ennis with power shots, and they were stone silent. It was Boots’ hometown Philly fans, and they weren’t happy to see their hero get worked over by the visiting fighter, Chukhadzhian. It was supposed to be a showcase fight for Boots to look like a million bucks in front of his fans, but it turned out to be a nightmare.
On the bright side, Ennis still won the fight with a 12-round majority decision according to the scores:
– 119-108
– 117-109
– 116-110
Ryan Garcia calls out Ennis
“Just bring him on. Come on, all he does is talk and tweet. I’m here to make history. I guarantee you I’ll put him out for sure,” Jaron Ennis said during the post-fight press conferenceand reacting to the fact that Ryan Garcia said he would be with him.
Considering the massive problems Chukhadzhian gave Ennis last Saturday night, he and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, need to be very careful what direction they go in for his next fight. It’s as if Ennis has stumbled into a minefield strewn about claymores and S-mine (bouncing Betty). He risks losing no matter which direction he takes.
There’s possibly more money in a Boots vs. Ryan Garcia fight than there would be for Ennis to move up to 154 to beat Vergil Ortiz Jr. to challenge for his WBC interim junior middleweight title. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said at the post-fight press conference last Saturday night that Boots’ options for his next fight are down these two paths:
- Unification fights at 147
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. crashes on 154
“Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest names in the sport. If he wants to fight at 147, that’s what I’m saying about the show tonight. It was a good show, but it was nothing special. So people like Ryan Garcia are going to sit at home and get brave,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.
“If Ryan Garcia wants to come back from his suspension in May or June or whenever he’s going to come back and go straight into a fight with Boots Ennis, we’d more than welcome that. You’re only going to see the best of him against great fighters, and Ryan Garcia is a good fighter. He’s good out there, but he’s a good fighter,” Hearn said.
Boots will be knocked out by me
This ref still sucks
And Eddie has to stop
He calls his fighters legends prematurely— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) November 10, 2024
This ref gives everyone warnings except me 😂😂
Gave like 3 warnings for hitting low though, never gave away a point
And warned Karen a lot
From times before you took a point away for holdingImmediately took a point from me, crazy he really bet on Haney 😭😭
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) November 10, 2024
