“Billion Dollar Baby” – Ennis Annihilates Avaneysan Nicholson Untouchable Against Vargas
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2024
Venue: The Wells Fargo Center
Promoters: Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport & Boots Promotions
Ring Announcers: David Diamante
Commentators: Chris Mannix, Sergio Mora & Shawn Porter
Referees: Shawn Clark, Eric Dali, Harvey Dock & Ricky Gonzalez
Timekeepers: Alice “The G.O.A.T” Grady
Coverage: DAZN
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr. & Ray Bailey
Editor: Dr. Yulanda Essoka
If over the next decade, boxing superstar Jaron “Boots” Ennis doesn’t garner at least a billion dollars in fight purses and endorsements – his management team failed immensely. It doesn’t take a Harvard MBA to do the projections for this extremely marketable world champion – a generational talent and wholesome young boxer – committed to his craft – supportive of his stablemates – always helping them. And he comes from a two-parent family – a wonderful mother and father – two older brothers who were exceptional professional pugilists – one a graduate of Cheyney University. He is one of two boxers that are loved and showered with accollades by the entire boxing community of Philadelphia. The other is no longer competing – former two-time world cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham. You can’t make this up because it is true! I doubt Boots ever got a parking ticket.
Where do I start? As my late father always told me, “Start from the beginning!” People, unlike the overwhelming majority of boxers who walk into a boxing gym to learn the sweet science, this was never the case for our undefeated IBF World Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 28 kos). He literally crawled into a boxing gym as a toddler, following his two older brothers, Derek and Farah, to learn under the guidance of their father, Derek “Bozy” Ennis, who is a distinguished trainer. Baby Boots was given a mouthpiece – there is no evidence of him ever acquiring a pacifier. He was walking by the time I saw him in the gym – a mini-master of his craft – a precocious pint-sized pugilist – that you knew was destined for greatness. There is no point in his career when he wasn’t exceptional. To him boxing is as effortless as breathing.
It has been a wonderful journey watching him progress through the amateur ranks all the way up the ladder to the pinnacle of his profession – a world championship. I unapolegitically have stated on numerous occasions that Jaron “Boots” Ennis is the best boxer in the galaxy unless there is a better pugilist on Mars. The last time we saw a boxer of this caliber – it was a gentleman from Palmer Park, Maryland who went by the name Sugar Ray Leonard. Not only is he a supremely gifted and talented boxer but Boots is also a humble, disciplined and dedicated athlete who is devoted to his profession and helping others inside and outside the gym. He is truly an ambassador for Philadelphia boxing – a unifying figure loved by all. Thus, it is so gratifying that he made his first title defense in his hometown – “The Capital of Boxing” – “The City of Brotherly Love” – Philadelphia.
Ennis, who turned 27 years-old on June 26th, was initially slated to face undefeated IBF #1 contender Cody Crowley (22 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 9 kos) of Canada, who wasn’t medically cleared due to undergoing eye surgery in November. On only five weeks’ notice 35-year-old, former WBA World Welterweight Champion David Avaneysan (30 wins – 4 losses – 1 draw – 18 kos) of Russia now fighting out of the United Kingdom stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge. And despite the lack of mass media advertising and promotion, 14,119 fans, friends and supporters packed the Wells Fargo Center. This is the largest crowd to watch boxing in our beloved city since an audience of 14,930 witnessed Marvin Hagler win a unanimous ten-round decision over “The Policeman of the Middleweight Division,” “Bad” Bennie Briscoe, at the Spectrum on August 24, 1978.
No surprise that my good friend – The Salute to Philly Boxers “2018 Philadelphia Boxing Fan of the Year” – Luther Chiles, who recently retired as a Station Manager from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (“SEPTA”) after 34 years of service was in the building. Absent was his childhood friend/road dog and co-recipient of the “2018 Philadelphia Boxing Fan of the Year” – Fred Wilson aka “Fred Rock” – who was unable to attend due to grandfather duties – babysitting his grandkids. However, Luther brought his two adult sons, Addul Haqq and Marcellus, along with Wilson Rosario – another childhood friend whom I deemed “Fred Rock’s Replacement.” On my way to the concession stands before the main event I had a brief chat with the quartet – who were all equally excited about this historic event.
The crowd cheered raucously as Boots made his way to the ring with his stablemate and friend, former Unified Super-bantamweight champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton leading the way carrying the IBF belt in the air – his handlers in tow. He entered the ring and proceeded to the far-right corner where he knelt in prayer – his standard routine. Referee Dali brought the fighters and their trainers to the center of the ring – gave the requisite instructions and they retreated to their respective corners. The gong sounded and the ambidextrous Philly fighter came out jabbing from the orthodox stance – walking down his opponent – landing to his head and midsection. Avaneysan kept his hands high while returning fire – blocking and throwing left hooks and straight rights. Boots controlled the action and switched to the southpaw stance a minute and fifteen seconds into the round. He immediately started ripping right hooks to the body. A little after the two-minute mark, Boots landed a right uppercut south of the border – in the groin forcing the Russian to the canvas writhing in pain. It was accidental and caused by Avaneysan pulling Boots’ head down with his right hand – changing the trajectory of the punch. Referee Dali reminded the grounded fighter that he had five minutes to recover as he knelt on the canvas. Avaneysan recovered after only two minutes and fifteen seconds and the fight continued with Boots resuming his strategy of fighting at close range while ripping shots to the body, winning the round on my scorecard.
Standing between rounds, Boots listened attentively to the instructions from his father/trainer. He began the second round marching forward landing vicious combinations on the body and head of his opponent. However, Avaneysan is a fearless and resilient warrior. He rarely retreated, switching to the southpaw stance fighting with every ounce of his strength and energy. It was an action-packed bout with both combatants committed to a war of attrition with Ennis getting the better of the exchanges and in-fighting – breaking down his nemesis one brick at a time – knowing eventually that his building would collapse. The action continued round after round, and I just had the feeling that it was only going to be a matter of time before Boots closed the show. Avaneysan was getting raked with some vicious shots to his rib cage, in addition his face was turning carmine – cherry red from the jabs and straight rights that landed frequently. Nevertheless, the indefatigable fighter showed his temerity giving his best effort.
In the fifth round, while switching from the orthodox to the southpaw stance – Boots launched a right hook that missed its mark sending him to the canvas – much to the delight of Avaneysan who mocked him by laughing. Had the punch landed – the fight probably would have concluded. Referee Dali wiped Boots’ gloves and the action resumed with the Philadelphian going to the body like a gravedigger with a shovel removing six-feet of dirt. Avaneysan blanketed Ennis, landing an uppercut on the inside-making the round competitive. With his back to the ropes, Boots connected with a left uppercut from the southpaw stance and immediately turned it into and overhand left that found its mark – anchoring his opponent to the canvas as though his legs had been swept from beneath him. It was a beautiful counter, executed so effortlessly – a reminder that Jaron Ennis is to boxing what Michael Jackson is to the music industry – a special talent with amazing abilities.
The fallen fighter was up almost immediately as referee Dali administered an eight-count and signaled for the fight to continue With almost a minute remaining in the round, Boots came forward ripping shots to his opponent’s ribcage and midsection. He hit Avaneysan with everything except the referee. Maybe my imagination was running wild because I thought I saw him lift Eric Dali in the air and throw him at the Russian striking him in the head. How Avaneysan was able to withstand the bombardment to the body is a testament to his will and conditioning. Somehow, he made it to the bell.
I should have asked Bozy for Saturday’s Powerball numbers because he predicted the fight would not make it past the fifth round. And “Bozydamus” was correct because the opposing corner and the ringside doctor protected the courageous combatant from himself, refusing to send him out for the sixth round and stopped the fight. Boots was declared the winner by technical knockout at 3:00 of round five. I am not one to speculate but I heard that Avaneysan suffered a broken jaw and a few fractured ribs and was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Hopefully, he will make a speedy recovery. Kudos to David Avaneysan for coming into his opponent’s backyard and giving a tremendous effort.
It was an impressive performance by Boots. Unsurprisingly, the Saudi Arabian royal billionaire, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of General Entertainment Authority, facetimed Boots after the fight to congratulate him on his win and shared that he would like to see Boots in a fight with Terrence Crawford at the weight of 154 lbs. soon. If Crawford defeats WBA Super-welterweight Champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd in Los Angeles – to capture a world title in a fourth weight class – his next fight should be against Boots. The spurious allegations that Boots “brings nothing to the table” and that he is looking for the big fights have been eradicated. The Philly fighter has a billionaire in his corner willing and able to give Crawford the biggest payday of his career. Nevertheless, I doubt that we will ever see Crawford against Ennis. It appears that he would rather move up three weight classes and face Canelo Alvarez for his super-middleweight belts than risk his life and health against Jaron “Boots Ennis.
I can’t blame him because he’s made it to the age of 36 undefeated with his health intact and is the “ #1 Pound for Pound” boxer on the planet. The Nebraskan has nothing left to prove – and I doubt that his ego would allow him to succumb to public pressure and the largest payday of his career. Then again, I could be wrong. I was in attendance for Sugar Ray Leonard’s last fight when he was stopped in the fifth round by Hector “Macho” Camacho at Convention Center, Atlantic City – March 1, 1997.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis was not the only world champion making his first title defense. WBC World Featherweight Champion Skye Nicholson (10 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Australia was similarly situated squaring off against Dyana “La Maquina” Vargas (19 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 12 kos) of the Dominican Republic – her first fight since winning the vacant belt on April 6th by unanimous decision over Sarah Mahfoud. Nicholson, who is movie star Jodi Foster’s young doppelganger, made her ring walk to Eve blaring over the house speakers on the track “Who’s That Girl” from her 2001 album “Scorpion.” Based on her flawless performance, “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer would have been more depictive.
From the opening bell of the scheduled ten-rounder the southpaw Nicholson boxed brilliantly, working behind her jab to keep her shorter opponent at the end of her punches. I don’t mean to diminish or disparage Vargas who was simply given a lesson in the art of the sweet science. If my memory serves me right – the only time she touched Nicholson was at the opening bell when they tapped gloves. The Aussie’s jab was effective and whenever Vargas attempted to get on the inside she was met with a straight left that crashed off her cranium. The rounds were identical, and I doubt if Nicholson broke a sweat. It was evident that she was having a good time – standing in her corner during the one-minute respites – painting a perfect pugilistic picture with her gloves as the paintbrush. Vargas was frustrated but couldn’t find an answer to her opponent’s impeccable boxing skills.
There were no knockdowns and neither fighter found themselves in dire straits. However, by the tenth and final round Vargas was bleeding from a cut on her left cheek. Nicholson displayed her wares reminding us that boxing is truly the art of hitting without being hit. Referee Clark raised her hand in victory because all three judges had it identical 100-90 for Nicholson who retained her title by unanimous decision – sending a message to the entire division that you “can’t touch this!”
Like most, I was anxiously awaiting the scheduled ten-round welterweight bout for the WBA Continental North American title between 21-year-old Jahlil “Major” Hackett (8 wins– 0 losses – 0 draws – 7 kos) of Washington, DC and 34-year-old Peter “Pistol Pete” Dobson (16 wins– 1 loss – 0 draws – 9 kos) of the Bronx, New York. Recently signed to Matchroom, this would be Hackett’s first fight under his new promotional banner.
Dobson coming off a loss to undefeated #5 world rated contender Conor Benn on February 3rd in Las Vegas was looking to get back in the win column. Supremely confident that he would be the agent for Hackett’s demise – Dobson stated at Thursday’s press conference:
“Tell your daddy you my son for the night. Shout out to your father for doing a good job raising you. But this is boxing and I’m going to fuck you up. Your dad is going to stop the fight, they are stepping you up too fast.”
The New Yorker felt that no 21-year-old was going to beat him and that Bernard Hackett, Jahlil’s father/trainer, was taking too big of a step in accepting a fight of this magnitude so early in his son’s career. Nevertheless, both father and son were sure that they made the right decision.
Hackett attacked at the opening bell working behind his jab launching straight rights and hooks while being defensive responsible, blocking the counters from his adversary sporting bleached-blond hair. Round after round Hackett out-landed Pistol Pete mixing it up – going downstairs to the body then coming up to the head with the left hook. By the fifth round Dobson was sporting a huge contusion on the left side of his head above his eye. Hackett was in rhythm just a step ahead of his opponent, out-boxing and out-landing him. It was a masterful performance by the 21-year-old who controlled the fight from the opening bell to the end. To Dobson’s credit – he never wilted despite absorbing many vicious shots to the ribs and midsection. When it was over two judges had it 97-93, with the third scoring it 96-94, all for the winner by unanimous decision and the new WBA Continental North American champion – Jahlil “Major” Hackett. Despite the pre-fight theatrics the combatants hugged and exchanged pleasantries – a sign of respect – after the decision was announced.
The second bout of the evening featured Boots Promotions’ first signee and stablemate –22-year-old Philadelphia welterweight – southpaw Ismail “The Chef” Muhammad (4 wins– 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) against 30-year-old Frank Brown (3 wins– 4 losses – 2 draws – 1 ko) from San Antonio, Texas in a six-rounder. The Chef started cooking at the opening bell working behind his jab, pressing the action. However, while attacking he was met with a right that sent him to the canvas. I am not sure if he tripped over Brown’s front foot while jabbing and was off balance – nevertheless a punch landed, and he visited the canvas – rightfully called a knockdown by referee Shawn Clark. Muhammad was up immediately, and the action resumed. Absent of the knockdown, he controlled the pace and tempo with his jab and straight left.
All three judges scored the round 10-8 in error for Brown. A knockdown is one point for the fighter scoring the knockdown. Had the knockdown not happened – Muhammad would have won the round 10-9. Therefore, Brown gets a point for the knockdown making it a 10-10 round. Fights are scored on a “10 Point Must System” meaning the winner of a round cannot get more than ten points. Thus, had Muhammad who was winning the round scored a knockdown – he cannot get an extra point – thus to give him the benefit of an extra point for scoring the knockdown – a point would have been taken from his opponent – making it a 10-8 round. Fortunately, Muhammad, who was penalized two points by the judges in the opening round, was able to outbox Brown – peppering him with his jab and straight left. To his credit – Brown was competitive – returning fire despite the Philadelphian being one step ahead bringing out all the right ingredients – showing the audience that he is truly a chef inside and outside the ring.
Muhammad returned the favor – dropping Brown early in the fourth round with a straight left and a right hook. Up immediately and jogging in place – Brown had his vitals checked by referee Clark and the action resumed. The Texan showed great recuperative powers and was able to clear the cobwebs as his adversary marched forward looking for another opening. Brown made it to the bell and back to this corner. The bout continued at the same pace for the remaining two rounds with Muhammad being in control with his jab and straight left – somewhat frustrating Brown who had no answer for the southpaw’s pin-point accuracy. With approximately fifteen seconds remaining in the final round – Muhammad landed a straight left wobbling Brown – his legs turning to spaghetti. Fortunately, time expired before the Chef had the opportunity to spice things up. Muhammad won by unanimous decision, 58-55 twice and 57-55. I scored the bout 60-55 for him.
Matchroom’s light-heavyweight prospect Khalil “Big Steppa” Coe (8 wins– 0 losses – 1 draw – 6 kos) of Flemington, New Jersey should have entered the ring to “Here Comes the Hotstepper” the 1995 hit by Jamaican dancehall artist, Ini Kamoze. I am confident that the Wells Fargo Center would have been rocking. Nevertheless, he was arguably the most destructive and devastating performer on tonight’s card. In a scheduled ten-rounder, the sixth fight of the eight-bout card, Coe faced last minute replacement Kwame “Rambo Time” Ritter (11wins– 1 loss – 0 draws – 9 kos) of Baltimore for the vacant WBC USA Light-heavyweight title. After a traditional opening round with each combatant trying to get a proper reading on the other – jabbing while probing for openings – Coe didn’t waste much time in the second stanza. The twenty-seven-year-old went to work.
Coe promised a knockout and delivered. Working behind his jab, Coe stalked Ritter in the second round. Ritter switched intermittently from southpaw to orthodox. Midway in the round Coe sent Ritter to the canvas with a devastating right and a left hook. Ritter was up before referee Ricky Gonzalez reached the count of four and allowed the fight to continue. Coe attacked with everything in his arsenal beating Ritter from pillar to post as he reeled down the ropes trying to evade punishment as he was struck to the body and head. Ritter fought back, but Coe was deadly accurate and the devastating shots to the head forced the referee to stop the fight. Coe was declared the winner at 1:59 of the second round and the new WBC USA Light-heavyweight Champion. During his post-fight interview Coe stated that he wants to face British and Commonwealth Light-heavyweight Champion, Joshua Buatsi (18 wins– 0 losses – 0 draws – 13kos).
In the third fight – a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout – Boots’ stablemate – Christian Carto (22 wins– 1 loss – 0 draws – 15 kos) of Philadelphia was impressive – showing exceptional footwork and angles – landing at will, dropping his opponent Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (38 wins– 13 losses – 1 draw – 22 kos) of Managua, Nicaragua in the third round, forcing him to retire and not answer the bell for the next round.
With referee Harvey Dock overseeing the activities in the ring – Carto answered the opening bell working behind his jab. Buitrago was able to connect with a counter right early. However, it had little or no effect on the Philadelphian who landed with double left hooks and counter rights. Carto captured the opening round and continued his display of pugilistic prowess in the next two stanzas – giving angles and going downstairs to the body – much to the delight of his trainer Bozy Ennis who was yelling instructions throughout the bout.
Forgive me for stating that Carto was like butter in a restaurant – he was on a roll! He was in a zone – “a state of achievement that seems to defy explanation.” In the third round he hurt Buitrago with a combination to the body and immediately shifted his weight and connected with a left hook that sent the Nicaraguan to the canvas. Up immediately, Buitrago was able to finish the round upright with Carto trying to close the show landing a combination as the gong sounded. Buitrago’s handlers signaled to referee Dock that he would not be coming out for the fourth round. Carto was declared the winner at 3:00 of the third round and had his hand raised by the referee. It was a dominant performance – much appreciated by the hometown crowd.
Puerto Rican super-featherweight Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz-Velez (28 wins– 4 losses – 0 draws – 18 kos) won by technical knockout at 2:36 of the second round in a scheduled eight-rounder – the fourth fight on the card – against Deryl “El Coyote” Hernandez-Gerarldo (12 wins– 1 loss – 1 draw – 10 kos) from the Dominican Republic. The opening round was close with both combatants fighting on even terms.
The action picked up in the next round with Velez attacking the body with left hooks as his opponent motored around the ring while jabbing and unleashing a left uppercut – or stopping on a dime to throw a double hook to the body and head. With approximately forty-five seconds remaining in the round, Velez wobbled the Dominican with a vicious left hook – driving him to the ropes where he unleashed combinations to the head and body snapping El Coyote’s head backwards forcing referee Ricky Gonzalez to halt the action and save him from serious damage. It was an impressive performance by Velez who appears ready for another run at a world title.
In the opening bout of the night, Boots Promotions’ signee and stablemate – 18-year-old southpaw bantamweight Dennis “The Quiet Storm” Thompson of Philadelphia was impressive in his debut – looking like a seasoned professional – winning a unanimous four-round decision 40-36 on all three scorecards- over tough 30-year-old Fernando Valdez (1win – 7 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Salta, Argentina. Standing 5 ft. 7 inches looking like a mini-version of five-division World Champion Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns, Thompson attacked at the opening bell working at a frenetic pace to the head and body of his shorter opponent – unleashing everything in his arsenal.
Despite his height advantage, the Philly fighter kept the action at close range forcing his opponent to fight back or get obliterated. How Valdez was able to stay upright despite the bombs landing on his chin and body speaks volumes to his conditioning and intestinal fortitude. It was an action-packed bout and a great outing by the affable teenager whose future is so bright that I will have to keep my sunglasses on the next time I interview him.
It was an amazing night of the sweet science in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia came out to support our hometown hero – Jaron “Boots” Ennis. This is just the beginning as Boots continues to set and break records. Hopefully, there is someone on his team who understands his immense mass appeal and aligns him with brands that can benefit from his success, pristine image and wonderful personality. OnlyFans – “an internet content subscription service used primarily by sex workers who produce pornography” (Wikipedia) – isn’t one of them! Whoever greenlighted that deal and had a patch placed on his trunks should be relieved of his duties!
Ryan Garcia, who has never won a world title and possesses less than 20% of Boots’ abilities, makes approximately $5 million annually in endorsements.
It was great having so many boxing aficionados in the building including my good friend – boxing trainer, Aaron Ford and his lovely wife Lisa; Steve “USS” Cunningham and his son – undefeated junior-middleweight prospect Steve “Tugboat” Cunningham Jr.; trainer Greg Hackett; Jamil Ali, President, USA Boxing Mid-Atlantic Region LBC; Donald Lyons, Board Trustee, USA Boxing Foundation; former professional and amateur sensation Kevin “Beaver” Jackson; Police Officer/trainer George Gee and his son, amateur sensation George Gee Jr.; boxing trainer Damon Allen Sr. and his nephew – undefeated junior-welterweight prospect Tyreem “Moo Moo” Haywood; and my Jamaican brother – trainer Ronnie “Madd Mitts” McCoy.
Philadelphia loves Boots!
Thank you Eddie Hearn, Anthony Leaver, & Matchroom!
“Billion Dollar Baby!”
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece.
ghanson18@icloud.com
