PHILADELPHIA – Jaron Ennis’ latest title defense at 147 pounds could be his last in the weight class – the Philadelphia fighter with ambitions of winning more championships is about to step in front of a new set of challengers.

Ennis defended her share of the 147-pound championship with a flat performance in front of her hometown crowd, earning a unanimous decision victory over Ukrainian fighter Karen Chukhadzhian Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Known as Boots, Ennis won 119-107, 117-109, 116-110 on the scorecards to retain the IBF welterweight championship.

“I thought it was a good performance,” Ennis said. “I could have been so much better.”

Ennis, 27, a native of Northwest Philadelphia, fought for the second time this year at the Philadelphia Arena, home of the 76ers and Flyers.

Ennis has expressed his desire to fight Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford. He would also like to have a chance against Canelo Alvarez. Ennis also didn’t rule out the possibility of moving up to 154 pounds in the weight class.

If Ennis decides to relinquish the 147-pound championship belt, the next fight could be lucrative. Ennis is reportedly in contention to fight WBC interim super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. in February in Saudi Arabia.

“I want to fight the best,” Ennis said. “When you fight the best, you will become better.”

Ennis (33-0) was on the verge of a fifth-round victory after a series of body shots dropped Chukhadzhian on the right knee in the corner and brought out the Philly crowd.

Ennis’s corner barked at the fighter to get Chukhadzhian out “already out of here!” deep into the fight. Ennis has been touted as one of the rising stars in a sport that desperately needs one in America.

He did not lose the local audience. Ennis certainly didn’t win over many other fans – especially new viewers who watched the card on DAZN – with a stoppage never seriously within reach, even though aiming for the big knockout seemed to be his only goal.

“I know my next fight will be good, better,” Ennis said.

It was a rematch of their January 2023 fight which Ennis won by unanimous decision. Ennis defended the welterweight title later that year against Roiman Villa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and defeated David Avanesyan that year in his return to Philadelphia.

Ennis’ main problem is his lack of defense.

Sure enough, Ennis stumbled in the first round after being hit with a big left hand, although he never left his feet. Chukhadzhian (24-3) was more assertive in the rematch – and needed to be after a widely criticized performance in their first fight. He landed his share of body shots, but not enough to inflict serious damage or take enough rounds on the scorecards.

Ennis headlined a card in July that drew a surprising 14,119 fans to the Wells Fargo Center.

Saturday night’s crowd didn’t quite reach July attendance levels, largely due to a rematch against a lackluster opponent. Still, about 10,000 fans were solidly behind Boots — he wore metal shoulder spikes and purple-and-white trunks as he walked to the ring accompanied by rapper G Herbo — and all raised their smartphones as the The ring announcer implored them to “Shine your light for Boots!”

“Nobody really wanted to see this fight,” Ennis said. “I took this fight to stay busy. He was my mandatory (defense), so I had to fight him.”

His fights are promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

“We know we can draw big crowds to Philadelphia,” Hearn said. “We love it here. A huge crowd every time.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez successfully defended his share of the super flyweight title with a TKO victory over Pedro Guevara in the third round. Rodriguez, 24, of San Antonio, knocked down Guevara twice in the third, the second time putting the challenger on his back and that was enough for the referee to stop the fight.

Rodriguez (21-0) used a right uppercut to floor Guevara (42-5-1) in the third round and stay atop the 115-pound division.

“I’m pretty happy but I already knew it was going to happen this way,” he said. “I really thought he was going to stay there and fight some more.”

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