David Avanesyan views his upcoming fight with IBF welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis as his “last chance” to win a world title. The headline clash is set for Saturday, July 13th, and will be broadcast live on DAZN from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Avanesyan, who is set to turn 36 next month, holds the #13 spot in the IBF rankings. If he were to lose to Ennis, there's a possibility he might slip out of the top echelon of welterweight contenders, a setback that could be hard for him to bounce back from given his age. Despite his recent two-year hiatus from boxing and a knockout loss to WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in December 2022, Avanesyan finds himself in this matchup more due to his name recognition rather than pure merit.
While many fans regard Ennis, aged 27, as one of the top talents in the welterweight division, his Achilles heel seems to be his eagerness to go for knockout punches which exposes him to counterattacks. Avanesyan possesses the punching power capable of causing damage and potentially knocking out Ennis if he connects cleanly. However, Avanesyan's main challenge will be weathering Ennis's aggressive style long enough to land a significant blow, especially given how swiftly he fell against Crawford.
The ongoing discussion on whether Ennis truly reigns supreme in the welterweight realm remains unresolved since he has mostly squared off against lesser opponents. The title of top welterweight is still up for grabs with contenders like Ennis, Brian Norman Jr., Mario Barrios and Eimantas Stannionis vying for that coveted position. Brian Norman Jr., known for his impressive strength and resilience, is considered by certain individuals to be the premier welterweight contender and a rising star in the making.
Neil Marsh, who manages Avanesyan, recognizes the upcoming challenge but is confident that his fighter has progressed since facing Crawford and anticipates a formidable match against Ennis as Avanesyan's strength provides him with a genuine opportunity to clinch a win.
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