Boxing fans usually love a homecoming. When Jaron "Boots" Ennis returned to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on November 9, 2024, the energy was high, the lights were bright, and the rapper G Herbo walked him to the ring with all the swagger of a pound-for-pound king. But by the time the final bell rang against Karen Chukhadzhian, the vibe in the arena was... well, it was complicated.
It wasn't that he lost. Boots won a wide unanimous decision. The scores were 119-107, 117-109, and 116-110. He’s still the IBF welterweight champion. He’s still 33-0. But if you’re looking for the "boogeyman" performance that was supposed to scare off Terence Crawford, this wasn't quite it.
Honestly, the Jaron Ennis last fight felt like a case of "been there, done that." Because, well, we had. This was a mandatory rematch against a guy Ennis had already shut out in January 2023. Back then, it was 120-108 on all cards. This time, the Ukrainian challenger decided to actually throw some punches, and that's where things got interesting—and a little messy.
What Actually Happened in the Ring?
Chukhadzhian came out with a completely different chip on his shoulder. In their first meeting, he basically ran for 36 minutes. This time? He stood his ground early. He even buzzed Boots with a left hook in the opening round. You could see the Philly crowd tense up for a second.
Ennis did what he does best, eventually. He started timing those wide shots. In the fifth round, it looked like the spectacular finish everyone paid for was finally happening. Boots landed a heavy left hook that wobbled Chukhadzhian, then followed up with an attack that forced the challenger to take a knee.
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But then the knockout just... didn't come.
Instead of a clinical finish, we got a dogfight where Ennis looked uncharacteristically hittable. He was lunging. He was fighting with his hands down a bit too much, maybe out of boredom or frustration. He definitely wanted the KO, but Chukhadzhian is like a ghost in a tracksuite—hard to pin down and even harder to stop.
The Punch Stats (By the Numbers)
If you look at the CompuBox stats, the dominance is clear, but the story is in the second half of the fight.
- Total Punches: Ennis out-landed him significantly, especially in the power punch department.
- Power Punches (Rounds 7-12): Boots landed 102 power shots compared to just 46 for the Ukrainian.
- The Point Deduction: In the 10th round, referee Harvey Dock finally took a point from Chukhadzhian for excessive holding. That widened the scorecards even more.
Why People Are Critiquing a Win
It sounds crazy to complain about a guy winning 11 out of 12 rounds, right? But the expectations for Ennis are "Next Floyd Mayweather" or "Next Roy Jones Jr." level. When you're that hyped, a "just okay" performance feels like a setback.
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Boots even said it himself after the fight: "My performance, it was okay." He looked glum. He mentioned that it’s hard to get "up" for guys you’ve already beaten, especially when they aren't considered elite.
There's also the defensive issue. In this last fight, Ennis ate more clean shots than we’re used to seeing. Expert analysts and those "keyboard warriors" on Reddit alike have been pointing out that he’s showing a bit of defensive carelessness lately. Whether that's because he doesn't respect Chukhadzhian’s power or he’s just getting "bored" in there is the big debate.
The 154-Pound Question
The biggest takeaway from the Jaron Ennis last fight wasn't the result—it was what he said about the scale. Boots is 27 now. He’s been a welterweight (147 lbs) for a long time. He explicitly mentioned that it might be time to move up to 154 pounds (Junior Middleweight).
"I think it might be time to go to '54," Ennis told DAZN. He believes his "pop" and power will translate better at the higher weight. Plus, let's be real: that's where the big fights are.
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Potential 2026 Opponents
The landscape for 2026 is already looking massive. If Boots stays at 147, there aren't many "super-fights" left besides maybe a unification with Eimantas Stanionis. But if he moves up?
- Vergil Ortiz Jr.: This is the fight everyone is screaming for. Rumors are already swirling about a potential showdown in early 2026.
- Sebastian Fundora: The "Towering Inferno" holds belts at 154.
- Terence Crawford: The ultimate legacy fight, though Bud seems to be hunting Canelo these days.
- Xander Zayas: A rising star who would be a huge commercial hit.
The Reality of Mandatory Fights
We should probably cut Matchroom and Eddie Hearn some slack here. Nobody wanted to see Ennis vs. Chukhadzhian 2. The IBF forced the fight. In boxing, if you don't fight your mandatory challenger, they strip you of your belt. Boots wanted to keep his title, so he had to do the chore.
It’s like being a straight-A student forced to retake a test you already passed. You’re probably not going to study as hard, and you’re definitely going to be annoyed while doing it.
Actionable Insights for Boxing Fans
If you're following Jaron Ennis's career moving forward, here's what you should keep an eye on to see if he's actually the "real deal" or just a very good fighter:
- Watch the Footwork: In his next fight, see if he’s still "following" opponents or if he goes back to cutting off the ring effectively. The last fight showed he can struggle with lateral movement.
- The Weight Jump: Pay attention to the official weigh-ins. If he moves to 154, he won't be the "big man" in the ring anymore. He'll be facing guys who can take his power and dish it back.
- Defensive Responsibility: Look at his head movement in the first three rounds. If he's still fighting with his chin tucked and hands high, he's listening to his trainers. If he's "freestyling" and getting hit by jabs, he's still fighting down to his competition.
The Jaron Ennis last fight wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a necessary step to clear the path for 2026. He got the win, kept his belt, and learned that he probably can't stay at welterweight much longer without losing his edge. Now, we just need to see him against someone who actually wants to win as much as he does.