Welterweight contender Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis 29-0 (27) is out to steal the show when he collides with Karen Chukhadzhian 21-1 (11) in the main support bout on the Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis vs Hector Luis Garcia undercard at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC this Saturday night.
The 25-year-old from Philadelphia will likely get a world title shot against WBC, WBA and IBF 147-pound champion Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr 28-0 (22) later this year. Ennis is ranked the number one contender by the IBF.
But before he can turn that dream into reality, he will need to get past Ukraine’s Chukhadzhian.
“I’m feeling great and ready to go. Training camp has been great. I’m in tremendous shape and I’m 100% ready to rock and roll,” Ennis said.
“I’ve got a lot of motivation and I can’t wait until Saturday night. I feel like this is another step toward greatness and getting those belts.
“It’s not hard to be the next guy up. I just have to stay focused and do what I do. I know my time is coming real soon. It’s that simple.
“I know Errol Spence Jr and [WBO champion] Terence Crawford are holding up the division right now, but whatever way I can get my hands on the belts, I’ll be ready. I just want to fight. I’m young, hungry and I’m going to keep shining and demolishing these guys they put in front of me.
“Getting knockouts gives the fans what they want and makes them keep gravitating toward me. As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, my fan base is just going to grow.
“I know Spence says he’s the ‘big fish,’ but we like to go fishing. If I have to sit on the side and ride a jet ski for a while, that’s okay for now. You know what happens when they bring a fish to land, right? They squirm.”
Chukhadzhian, 26, who hasn’t lost since his second pro bout eight years ago, says he is ready to box or bang.
“People pay to see a great fight, so I’ve been training hard in order to deliver that. I want all the fans to remember that I bring action to the ring. I’m coming to win this fight for everyone back in Ukraine,” Chukhadzhian said.
“I’m coming here to win. If he wants to avoid going toe to toe, then I’ll be ready to box. If it’s a battle on the inside he wants, I know that I can win that way.
“I know that Ennis is a good fighter, but my focus is on my abilities and what I can do in the ring. I’m very confident. I have everything I need to win this fight.
“It’s very motivating to be fighting in the U.S. for the first time, and on a big stage like this. My goal is to keep coming back for bigger and bigger fights.”
