Ennis outpoints Chukhadzhian, defends IBF title

Jaron Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) outpointed Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian (24-3) and defended his IBF World welterweight title.

Fight was held on Saturday night in Philadelphia. Ennis dropped Chukhadzhian in round five and Ukrainian also got a point deducted in round 10 for holding. In the end all three judges saw Ennis as clear winner (119:107, 117:109 and 116:110).  It was the second fight between Ennis and Chukhadzhian. In the first fight in January last year, Ennis won clear via unanimous decision.

Ennis promoter Eddie Hearn said that next could be fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr (22-0) on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.

“I always want to fight the best,” Ennis said regarding a potential fight against Ortiz. “I don’t want to fight no bottom-tier guys. When you fight the best, you’re going to be better … All they are doing is adding fuel to the fire for my next performance. That’s what I need. That’s what I want. The next fight is going to be even better. I’m not even worried about it.”