Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Boxing Challenge: Ennis, Rodriguez retain titles.

      Two young champions defended their titles in Philadelphia with one dazzling and the other given a surprisingly difficult battle.

In the main event, IBF welterweight boss, Jaron "Boots" Ennis repeated his 2023 unanimous decision victory over Karin Chukhadzian but differently than in their first fight.

Chukhadzian spent their first fight in reverse and while he lasted the distance against Ennis, Chukhadzian made no fans in doing so and was the subject of raspberries entering the fight for receiving another undeserved mandated title opportunity.

To the surprise of everyone, including Ennis, Chukhadzian changed his tactics completely by embracing an aggressive attack, marching forward, and landing punches that few would have expected before the fight.

Chukhadzian even won a few rounds but was sent to a knee in round five from an Ennis charge and was deducted a point for holding in the tenth round.

Ennis won easily on the scorecards 119-107, 117-109, and 116-110, the latter was the same as mine but he took many more punches than expected and talked of possibly moving up to junior middleweight and vacating his welterweight title.

And while I have no desire to see Ennis-Chukhadzian III,  Chukhadzian's effort makes me want to see him against other fighters, something I didn't think I'd ever write entering this fight.

The star of the night made his appearance in the co-feature as Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez crushed former light flyweight champion Pedro Guevara in three rounds.

Rodriguez dropped Guevara in the third round with Guevara rising but was floored by an uppercut that ended the show without a count.

Rodriguez is rumored to possibly face Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez in what would be a big purse for each fighter but might not be competitive in the ring.

Raymond Ford looked very impressive in dominating Orlando Gonzalez in his junior lightweight bow, winning a unanimous decision and knocking Gonzalez down in the second and eighth,.

Ford won by scores of 100-88 times two (and my score) and 99-89 and looked like he could have a serious chance at a world title at 130 pounds.

In Bayamon, Puerto Rico, former IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias returned from his upset loss to Liam Paro to knock out Roberto Ramirez in two rounds finishing Ramirez with a shot to the body.

Boxing Challenge

Ramon Malpica: 163 Pts (6)
TRS: 160 Pts (7)
Vince Samano:103 Pts (7)




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