Undefeated Jaron Ennis will defend his IBF welterweight title against challenger David Avanesyan as a heavy favorite in a scheduled 12-round bout set for Saturday, July 13 in Philadelphia. Ennis was originally set to take on mandatory challenger Cody Crowley, but he withdrew a few weeks ago after he wasn’t cleared by medical personnel following eye surgery in November. With no defeats in 31 professional fights, oddsmakers like the chances of the champ successfully defending posting early odds on Ennis of -2000.
With Crowley injured promoters had to scurry to find a replacement and the veteran Avanesyan was more than eager to accept the challenge. At 35 and nearly 10 years older than his opponent, Avanesyan knows this is likely his last chance at a world title, and according to him he “had to take it.” His biggest fight was eight years ago when Avanesyan beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the WBA interim welterweight title. In late 2022, Avanesyan was spectacularly KOd by Terence Crawford halfway through their title fight. Avanesyan opened as a massive +1000 underdog.
Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan Betting Odds
Jaron Ennis -2000
David Avanesyan +1000
The 12-round welterweight title fight between IBF champion Jaron Ennis ( 31-0, 28 KOs ) and challenger David Avanesyan ( 30-4-1, 18 KOs ) will take place on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The fight will air live on ESPN.
Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan Fight Preview
The early odds are not typical of what you’d expect to find for a championship bout. And in a way this isn’t a typical title fight. Ennis was set to fight undefeated Cody Crowley, but the challenger had to withdraw in early June due to an eye injury. In his last fight Crowley beat Abel Ramos in a title eliminator. Instead, Ennis gets what some might call a journeyman in Avanesyan. And it’s a fight he shouldn’t lose.
However, these fights are tricky with a late replacement offering a different angle than that was prepared for. However, Ennis has a few things on the line that aren’t related to being inside the ring. He signed a multi-fight contract with Matchroom Boxing in April and is looking forward to bigger fights and better paydays now that he’s working with a major promoter. Ennis earned it, though, winning all 31 of his professional fights with 28 coming by stoppage. He’s climbed to No. 3 in the ESPN welterweight rankings.
Ennis is also looking to become the legitimate IBF welterweight strap holder. He won the vacant interim tag with a dominant unanimous decision over Karen Chukhadzhian in 2023 that put an end to his six-year knockout streak. In his first title defense Ennis showed off superior boxing skill against hard-hitting Roiman Villa ending the fight in the 10th round after a barrage of punches rendered his opponent useless.
Ennis never fought for the full IBF title but was instead promoted to champion when undisputed champ Terence Crawford did not take the IBF mandatory bout with Ennis. Crawford was subsequently stripped of his title with Ennis next in line. The fight with Avanesyan will be his first as IBF welterweight champion. Though he didn’t fight for the belt Ennis sure has earned it. At just 27 he already has 31 pro fights on his resume perfecting his craft with every bout.
As evidenced by his 90.3 percent KO rate, Ennis is a powerful puncher and lethal with both hands. He also defends by using his quick feet to avoid confrontations. He took a few blows from Villa in his most recent fight showcasing a strong chin as well.
A win over Shane Mosley would have been a notch on the belt except the former champ was in the twilight of his career. You could say Avanesyan sent “Sugar” into retirement with his UD in 2016 since it was the last fight of Mosley’s career. Avanesyan was no match for the best welterweight getting KO’d by Crawford in 2022. He returned to the ring a year later beating Serge Ambomo, who has a record of 11-55-3.
Bet Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan
I don’t think you can come up with a reason for Ennis to lose this fight. He’s a better boxer with a solid defense, quick feet and powerful jabs. And he’s looking forward to moving on to bigger things with his new promoter. Avanesyan is saying all the right things and probably believes he has a shot at upsetting the champ, but realistically he doesn’t. It makes no sense to back Ennis outright so move the odds in your favor by pinpointing a round and method of victory.
Boxing Odds Pick: Jaron Ennis / KO
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