Former IBF junior welterweight champion Sergey Lipinets 16-1-1 (12) is brimming with confidence ahead of his fight against red-hot prospect Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis 26-0 (24) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut on April 10.
“I’m not sure why people say Ennis is avoided,” the 32-year-old Russian said. “On this level, nobody is afraid of anybody. I took this fight because I recognize that he’s one of the best welterweights out there and I believe that when I beat him, it’ll put me in the mix for another championship fight.
“After this fight, the champions in this division are going to have to face me.
“Training is going really well. This is probably my hardest training camp ever. We’re training for Ennis’ physical abilities because we know he’s the full package as a fighter.
“He’s an up-and-comer with a lot on the line against me. So I’m really pushing myself. I’ve had to spar some really diverse fighters because Ennis does a lot of different things in the ring and he can switch up stances and styles. We’ve had some rigorous sparring sessions.
“Working with coach [Joe] Goossen is a great fit for me. He’s making it so that the things we’re working on are like second nature to me. It’s lots of work on combinations and throwing punches from different angles. Personality-wise we’re on the same page too, so we get along great, but he still pushes me.”
Lipinets moved up to welterweight following his points decision loss to Mikey Garcia three years ago where he has gone 3-0-1. His last fight was a majority draw against Canadian contender Custio Clayton 18-0-1 (12) in October.
The 30-year-old Ennis of Philadelphia is coming off a busy 2020 that saw him fight three times. In January he knocked out Bakhtiyar Eyobov in four and in September he knocked out Juan Carlos Abreu in six.
In his last outing Ennis had to settle for a no decision against Chris van Heerden in December after an unintentional clash of heads brought an early end to the bout.
Lipinets is another step up in class for Ennis but one he seems ready for.
“He’s a good fighter, but it doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just another day in the office. He’s a regular person just like anyone else,” Ennis said.
“I guess he knows I’m tough, gritty and I’m ready to rumble. I’m coming there to take a win home to Philadelphia and look good doing it, by any means.
“I don’t think I have my man strength yet. I feel it will be one or two more years until I fully have my man strength.
“The crazy part is, I feel like in a fight, I still haven’t thrown a real power shot and really sat down on a punch yet. Everything I’ve been knocking guys out with has been all-natural strength.
“Some people might look at a knockout on April 10 as the 17th consecutive knockout; some might view it as the start of a new knockout streak. For me, I don’t really care as long as I come out victorious.
“That’s all that matters to me. I’m not looking for a knockout, but I’m going to take it if it comes.”
