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Rising US star Jaron Ennis was hailed as “the future of boxing” after a fifth-round stoppage of challenger David Avanesyan to retain his IBF world welterweight crown.<\/b><\/p>\n
Ennis, 27, was fighting for the first time in more than a year and took some shots from his experienced opponent, but had too much skill and power for the Russian.<\/p>\n
He edged some competitive opening rounds before stepping it up from the third round to delight more than 14,000 fans at the Wells Fargo Center in his home city of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
After sending the 35-year-old Avanesyan to the canvas in the fifth, Ennis launched a sustained attack until the bell brought the round to an end. <\/p>\n
It also brought the fight to a close, as Avanesyan’s corner, on the advice of the ringside doctor, decided their fighter had had enough.<\/p>\n
Ennis, unbeaten in 32 bouts, said he was happy with his display but added: “I felt like my timing was a little off.”<\/p>\n
“If he thinks that performance was off, the world of boxing ought to be very, very afraid,” his promoter Eddie Hearn said. “He\u2019s the future of boxing. That’s what he is.”<\/p>\n
Ennis has now set his sights on facing Terence Crawford, saying: “I want the big names.”<\/p>\n
The undercard also witnessed a successful world title defence as Australia’s Skye Nicolson<\/b> won a unanimous points victory over Dyana Vargas of the Dominican Republic to retain her WBC featherweight belt.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old dominated without finding the cutting edge over 10 rounds, all three judges scoring it 100-90 in favour of the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n