Jaron Ennis said no one wants to see his last fight, an easily won rematch against a heavy underdog at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night. He said he agreed to the mandatory defense of his IBF welterweight title against Karen Chukhadzhian because he had to, as even the fighter known as “Boots” seemed to share the lukewarm consumer interest.

“He really didn’t want to fight that guy,” said Bozy, Ennis’ father and trainer. “He really wasn’t interested. You could see it.

Ennis, Philadelphia’s only current boxing champion, earned more than $1 million to face Chukhadzhian, but he’s looking for a bigger fight. It might only take a few months for him to get his wish.

Ennis promoter Eddie Hearn said the Germantown native would fight another 147-pound champion or relinquish his title and move up in weight to challenge interim WBC junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz. A fight with Ortiz – which would be a bigger fight than any welterweight unification fight – would take place on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s going to be very tempting,” Hearn said of a fight with Ortiz. “It’s a brilliant fight. Boots vs. Vergil Ortiz is one of the best fights ever. Not just in division, but in boxing. Two formidable young fighters.

How different was Saturday night’s fight? Ennis was a -4,000 favorite, meaning a bettor had to wager $4,000 to win just $100. It was almost impossible to make money with Ennis because the books gave Chukhadzhian no chance.

Ennis controlled the pace Saturday night but absorbed punches from Chukhadzhian, who was much sharper than in their first fight in January 2023. Ennis’ corner asked him after each round to push for the knockout, which Chukhadzhian avoided grabbing Ennis throughout the match. struggle. Hearn said Ennis did not respect Chukhadzhian’s power but also lacked motivation for the fight. It was better than their first fight, but it still lacked action.

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Chukhadzhian, according to Compubox, landed the most punches (173) by an Ennis foe and landed 90 more punches than in their first meeting. Ennis, who alternated between southpaw and orthodox, pushed the action by throwing 208 more punches than Chukhadzhian.

A flurry from Ennis forced Chukhadzhian to a knee in the fifth round and Ennis nearly ended it with another barrage in the 10th. Ennis won all three scorecards by wide margins (119-107, 117-109, 116-110), but said his performance was just okay. It was the first time he fought 12 rounds.

“We have a very big decision to make,” Hearn said. “I never like to give up world titles but sometimes the time is right. We could receive a substantial offer to fight Vergil Ortiz in Saudi Arabia. Then from there, it’s onto Jaron and Bozy. They will receive my opinion, but they will make the decision.

Ennis told Hearn earlier this year that his dream was to become a unified champion at 147 pounds. So they agreed to the title defense against Chukhadzhian, considered in boxing parlance a fight to “stay busy.” Move past Saturday and Hearn would be lining Ennis up with a 147-pound champion. But those plans may have changed. It appears it’s time for the 27-year-old Ennis to move up.

A victory against WBO champion Brian Norman, WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis or WBC champion Mario Barrios will give Ennis another welterweight title. A fight with Ortiz (22-0, 21 KO) will net Ennis a bigger payday and more attention.

“I think it’s a great fight,” Hearn said. “Boots knows he has to be better than he was tonight against a fighter like Vergil Ortiz. But the training will be different. The mentality will be different. The challenge will be different. And that’s where you’ll see the best of a great fighter like Boots.

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Ennis’ father said the importance of staying at 147 pounds was a “legacy” because it would give the fighter a chance to unify one of boxing’s historic divisions.

But top opponents — not just Ortiz — seem to be waiting at 154 pounds. Ennis has long sought a fight with pound-for-pound king Terrence Crawford, who moved up to 154 pounds earlier this year. Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest names in the sport and is set to fight at 154 after returning this summer from a suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He tweeted during the Ennis fight that he would knock him out.

Ennis now has a decision to make: a bigger fight or a title fight. Either way, he’ll probably have a fight next year that he’s excited about. And one that people will want to see.

“Like I always say, I want to fight the best,” Ennis said. “I don’t try to fight easy or low level guys. When you fight the best, you will become better.