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The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)
The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)
In one of his early fights, 2022 Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cotto was in one of the main supporting bouts on a high profile pay-per-view. Legendary boxing commentator Larry Merchant remarked that part of the reason for Cotto being featured was to showcase his talents for both the audience attending the event and the fans watching at home. âWe are going to find out if Cotto is going to be the kind of fighter that people are going to take flights, get hotel rooms, and pay for tickets to see.â
For Jaron âBootsâ Ennis, his time to transition from a highly touted interim world champion to a legitimate box office draw has arrived. On Saturday night in Atlantic City, live on Showtime, Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is being thrust into the main event against Romain Villa (27-1, 24 KOs), a surprise, yet serious contender in an event that from a commercial standpoint relies heavily on Ennisâs name. Originally set to take place in the Events Center inside the luxurious Borgata Hotel and Casino, the venue was changed to the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Atlantic Cityâs Boardwalk Hall. Logistics played a part in the change since both venues have a capacity of around 3,000 fans.
To Ennis, the change of venue was of little concern. âIâve grown up around this sport since I was a baby. Nothing on that end of things (business) bothers me,â said Ennis, reiterating his history with the sport that he loves.
So far everything else that Ennis has faced throughout his seven-year professional career has been handled with that same calm demeanor that matches his persona both in and out of the ring. Itâs a persona that at times has had fans wanting more from the 26-year-old boxer who has shied away from the fiery rhetoric that fans can easily gravitate towards.
It was this character trait that led some to criticize him after his most recent fight in January of this year on the undercard of Gervonta Davisâs fight with Hector Garcia. On that night Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian to claim an interim world championship, winning every round against an opponent who was unwilling to engage in any meaningful exchanges. In going twelve rounds for the first time, Ennis gained the much-needed experience that all top fighters need at some point as their competition level rises, but more was expected of him in terms of âbuilding his brand.â
What some perceived as a lackluster performance wasnât lost on Ennis. âGoing the distance in my last fight didnât put any pressure on me leading up to his one. I canât go looking for the knockout, thatâs when you donât get it,â stated Ennis. However as is the case with so many quiet, determined, and focused young fighters, the truth came out when he laced up his gloves for a workout just a week away from fight night.
After countless four-minute rounds on the heavy bag, pad work, and beating up a body shield, Ennis turned and simply said as he shook his head, âheâs going to have a long night.â Itâs the type of simple statement that suggests Ennis is aware of the task at hand. He knows that looking spectacular in victory will help to generate crossover appeal that would create huge anticipation from the mainstream sports world as he moves forward toward possible mega showdowns with the winner of Crawford-Spence or bouts against former champions Yordenis Ugas and Keith Thurman who are tentatively slated to square off next month.
What was lost on many observers that night in January was the fact that while the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. was sold out and packed with Tank Davisâs supporters, a sea of âJBEâ (Jaron Boots Ennis) shirts flooded both the halls and the lower bowl of the arena. This signified that while Ennis has been on everyoneâs radar as the next big thing in the welterweight division from a talent perspective, he might also be the heir-apparent for the division in terms of generating large live gates. When Ennis entered the arena that night, he received a loud welcome not only from those wearing his shirts but also from supporters of Davis.
Just how all of this translates into purchasing power is the ultimate question. With Philadelphia, Ennisâs hometown, being just a little over an hourâs drive away from Atlantic City, ticket sales suggest that the business of Boots is alive and well. âItâs been less than a month since tickets went on sale and (as of Thursday evening) there were less than 150 tickets left,â said Marshall Kauffman, head of Kingâs Promotions, who is working with PBC to put on this event. Kauffman anticipates a complete sellout while noting that more tickets should be released to accommodate walk-up sales on Saturday night.
Ultimately what this could mean for Team Ennis is that a local following has not only surfaced, but itâs the type of following that with continued success could lead to Ennis eventually gracing the ring inside the main arena downstairs from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Boardwalk Hall, an arena that can hold upwards of 10,000 fans. Itâs the arena that the late Hall-of-Famer Arturo Gatti was able to sell out on nine consecutive occasions.
Villa represents an intriguing opponent for Ennis due to his come-forward and press-the-action style. Not only does it give Ennis the opportunity to showcase his versatile skill set, it gives him the chance to solidify his name as an attraction and enhance his profile in ways that matter at the negotiating table. An impressive victory over Villa on Saturday ensures that the business of Boots will continue to move forward towards bigger and better things.
Photo credit: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME
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Ramirez Outpoints Barthelemy and Vergil Ortiz Scores Another Fast KO in Fresno
Northern California favorite Jose Ramirez avoided an upset and knockout artist Vergil Ortiz destroyed his opponent on Saturday to set up a showdown with Australiaâs power-punching Tim Tszyu.
After a 13-month layoff Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) shook off ring rust and avoided an upset by Cubaâs Rances Barthelemy (30-3-1, 15 KOs) in a battle between former world champions at Save Mart Center in Fresno.
It was Ramirezâs first bout under Golden Boy Promotions and he was nearly derailed by the slick counter-punching southpaw in the third and six rounds with laser left counters that connected every time. Though he was floored in the third round it was ruled a push down by referee Jack Reiss.
Fans gasped.
âHe throws that left hand and I got hit with it in one round,â Ramirez said. âIt motivated him.â
Once Ramirez figured out the remedy, he kept the fight inside and attacked the body and head. Barthelemy was unable to uncork one of his long lefts at close distance.
From the seventh round on the former super lightweight champion took control and kept the Cuban fighter against the ropes and unloaded shots to the body and head. He nearly forced a stoppage in the 11th round.
Barthelemy survived but all three judges scored it big for Ramirez after 12 rounds: 119-109 twice and 118-110.
Vergil KOs Number 21
Knowing a win sets up a massive showdown against Aussie slugger Tim Tszyu, the Texas slugger Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) wasted no time in blasting out Puerto Ricoâs Thomas Dulorme (26-7-1, 17 KOs) with a perfectly placed left hook to the body. Dulorme collapsed to the ground in agony.
Referee Tom Taylor stopped counting at 2:39 of the first round.
âIt was a very calculated punch,â Ortiz said.
It was a commanding one round performance that sets up the showdown against the equally powerful Tszyu who despite losing a split decision to Sebastian Fundora last month by split decision, retains his reputation as a dangerous puncher.
Ortiz, who has 21 knockouts in 21 fights, will probably be fighting Tszyu in Los Angeles on June 1 if all negotiations go smoothly.
âTim (Tszyu) I know you are watching the fight,â said Ortiz. âIâm ready. Letâs put on a great performance.â
Other Bouts
Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) proved his knockout loss against Ryan Garcia would not stop him from improving as he defeated Jojo Diaz (33-6-1) by knockout at 2:32 of the ninth round in a super lightweight match. Referee Michael Margado wisely stopped the bludgeoning as a towel came flying in almost simultaneously.
It was the first time Diaz was ever defeated by knockout, though he never touched the canvas. It was also the first time Duarte trained with Robert Garcia and the difference was notable as he repeatedly walked through incoming fire and attacked the smaller fighter continuously.
âI want to fight the best in the world,â Duarte said.
Female Title Fight
A rematch battle for the flyweight championship saw Argentinaâs Gabriela Alaniz (15-1) defeat Marlen Esparza (14-2) this time with a two-fisted attack to win by split decision after 10 rounds.
Esparza failed to make weight and walked in three pounds overweight and Alaniz took advantage to win the WBA, WBC, and WBO flyweight titles in the rematch. Once again the scores were puzzling but this time in favor of Alaniz 97-93, 96-94, and 92-98.
Alaniz now holds the WBO, WBA, WBC flyweight world titles.
Welterweights
Mexicoâs Raul Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) busted body shots on Jorge Marron Jr. (20-5-2) and floored him twice in the first round. The second body blow left Marron paralyzed and unable to continue at 1:31 of the first round as referee Thomas Taylor counted him out.
Curiel, who is managed by Frank Espinoza and son, proved heâs ready for the upper levels of the welterweight division.
âI think Iâm ready for the bigger names,â Curiel said. âYou see the results.â
Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 282: Ryanâs Song, Golden Boy in Fresno and More
Avila Perspective, Chap. 282: Ryanâs Song, Golden Boy in Fresno and More
Donât call it an upset.
Days after Ryan Garcia proved the experts wrong, those same experts are re-tooling their evaluation processes.
Itâs mind-boggling to me that 95 percent thought Garcia had no chance. Hear me out.
First, Garcia and Haney fought six times as amateurs with each winning three. But this time with no head gear and smaller gloves, Garcia had to have at least a 50/50 chance of winning. He is faster and a more powerful puncher.
Facts.
Haney is a wonderful boxer with smooth, almost artistic movements. But history has taught us power and speed like Garciaâs canât be discounted. Think way back to legendary fighters like Willie Pep and Sandy Sadler. All that excellent defensive skill could not prevent Sadler from beating Pep in three of their four meetings.
Power has always been an equalizer against boxing skill.
Ben Lira, one of the wisest and most experienced trainers in Southern California, always professed knockout power was the greatest equalizer in a fight. âYou can be behind for nine rounds and one punch can change the outcome,â he said.
Another weird theory spreading before the fight was that Garcia would quit in the fight. That was a puzzling one. Getting stopped by a perfect body shot is not quitting. And that punch came from Gervonta âTankâ Davis who can really crack.
So how did Garcia do it?
In the opening round Ryan Garcia timed Devin Haneyâs jab and countered with a snapping left hook that rattled and wobbled the super lightweight champion. After that, Garcia forced Haney to find another game plan.
Garcia and trainer Derrick James must have worked hours on that move.
I must confess that I first saw Garciaâs ability many years ago when he was around 11 or 12. So I do have an advantage regarding his talent. A few things I noticed even back then were his speed and power. Also, that others resented his talent but respected him. He was the guy with everything: talent and looks.
And that brings resentment.
Recently I saw him and his crew rapping a song on social media. Now heâs got a song. Next thing you know Hollywood will be calling and heâll be in the movies. Itâs happened before with fighters such as Art Aragon, the first Golden Boy in the 50s. He was dating movie stars and getting involved with starlets all over Hollywood.
Is history repeating itself or is Garcia creating a new era for boxing?
Since 2016 people claimed he was just a social media creation. Now, after his win over Devin Haney a former undisputed lightweight champion and the WBC super lightweight titleholder, the boxer from the high desert area of Victorville has become one of the highest paid fighters in the world.
Ryan Garcia has entered a new dimension.
Golden Boy Season
After several down years the Los Angeles-based company Golden Boy Promotions suddenly is cracking the whip in 2024.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20 KOs) returns to the ring and faces Puerto Ricoâs Thomas Dulorme (26-6-1, 17 KOs) a welterweight gatekeeper who lost to Jaron âBootsâ Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis. They meet as super welterweights in the co-main event at Save Mart Arena in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, April 27. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card live.
Itâs a quick return to action for Ortiz who is still adjusting to the new weight division. His last fight three months ago ended in less than one round in Las Vegas. It was cut short by an antsy referee and left Ortiz wanting more after more than a year of inactivity in the prize ring.
Ortiz has all the weapons.
Also, Northern Californiaâs Jose Carlos Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) meets Cubaâs Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) in a welterweight affair set for 12 rounds.
Itâs difficult to believe that former super lightweight titlist Ramirez has been written off by fans after only one loss. That was several years ago against Scotlandâs Josh Taylor. One loss does not mean the end of a career.
âMy goal is to get back on top and to get all those belts back. I still feel like I am one of the best 140-pounders in the division,â said Ramirez who lives in nearby Avenal, Calif.
An added major attraction features Marlen Esparza in a unification rematch against Gabriela âLa Chuckyâ Alaniz for the WBA, WBC, WBO flyweight titles. Their first fight was
a controversial win by Esparza that saw one judge give her nine of 10 rounds in a very close fight. Those Texas judges.
In a match that could steal the show, Oscar Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) faces former world champion Jojo Diaz (33-5-1, 15 KOs) in a lightweight match.
Munguia and Canelo
Donât sleep on this match.
Its current Golden Boy fighter Jaime Munguia facing former Golden Boy fighter Saul âCaneloâ Alvarez in a battle between Mexicoâs greatest sluggers next week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4.
âI think Jaime Munguia is going to do something special in the ring,â said Oscar De La Hoya, the CEO for Golden Boy.
Tijuanaâs Munguia showed up at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood where a throng of media from Mexico and the US met him.
Munguia looked confident and happy about his opportunity to fight great Canelo.
âItâs a hard fight,â said Munguia. âTruth is, its big for Mexico and not only for Mexicans but for boxing.â
Fights to Watch
Fri. DAZN 6 p.m. Yoeniz Tellez (7-0) vs Joseph Jackson (19-0).
Sat. DAZN 9:30 a.m. Peter McGrail (8-1) vs Marc Leach (18-3-1); Beatriz Ferreira (4-0) vs Yanina Del Carmen 14-3).
Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Vergil Ortiz (20-0) vs Thomas Dulorme (26-6-1); Jose Carlos Ramirez (28-1) vs Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1); Marlen Esparza (14-1) vs Gabriela Alaniz (14-1).
Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions
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Ramon Cardenas Channels Micky Ward and KOs Eduardo Ramirez on ProBox
The Wednesday night bi-monthly series of fights on the ProBox TV platform is the best deal in boxing; the livestream is free with no strings attached! Tonightâs episode was headlined by a super bantamweight match between San Antonioâs Ramon Cardenas and Eduardo Ramirez who brought a caravan of rooters from his hometown in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.
Cardenas, coached by Joel Diaz, entered the contest ranked #4 by the WBA. He was expected to handle Ramirez with little difficulty, but this was a close, tactical fight through eight frames when lightning struck in the form of a left hook to the liver from Cardenas. Ramirez went down on one knee and wasnât able to beat the count. It was as if Cardenas summoned the ghost of Micky Ward who had a penchant for terminating fights with the same punch that arrived out of the blue.
The official time was 1:37 of round nine. Cardenas improved to 25-1 with his14th win inside the distance. Ramirez, who was stopped in the opening round by Nick âWreckingâ Ball in London in his lone previous fight outside Mexico, falls to 23-3-3.
Co-Feature
In an upset, Tijuana super welterweight Damian Sosa won a split decision over previously undefeated Marques Valle, a local area fighter who was stepping up in class in his first 10-round go. Sosa was the aggressor, repeatedly backing his taller opponent into the ropes where Valle was unable to get good leverage behind his punches.
The 25-year-old Valle, managed by the influential David McWater, was the house fighter. This was his 10th appearance in this building. He brought a 10-0 (7) record and was hoping to emulate the success of his younger brother Dominic Valle who scored a second-round stoppage of his opponent in this ring two weeks ago, improving to 9-0. But Sosa, who brought a 24-2 record, proved to be a bridge too high.
The judges had it 97-93 and 96-94 for the Tijuana invader and a disgraceful 98-92 for the house fighter.
Also
In a fight whose abrupt ending would be echoed by the main event, 34-year-old SoCal featherweight Ronny Rios, now training in Las Vegas, returned to the ring after a 22-month hiatus and scored a fifth-round stoppage over Nicolas Polanco of the Dominican Republic.
A three-punch combo climaxed by a left hook to the liver took the breath out of Polanco who slumped to his knees and was counted out. A two-time world title challenger, Rios advanced to 34-4 (17 KOs). Polanco, 34, declined to 21-6-1. The official time was 0:54 of round five.
—
The next ProBox show (Wednesday, May 8) will have an international cast with fighters from Kazakhstan, Japan, Mongolia, and the United Kingdom. In the main event, Liverpoolâs Robbie Davies Jr will make his U.S. debut against the California-based Kazakh Sergey Lipinets.
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