Jaron Ennis faced calls to replace his father and trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis after his rematch win over Karen Chukhadzhian on Saturday night.
Talented undefeated champion Ennis was back in action in a surprise mandatory rematch with Chukhadzhian, and was looking for a statement 33rd professional victory.
Ennis had outpointed the stubborn Ukrainian for the IBF ‘interim’ welterweight belt in 2023, and the challenger had now got his shot at revenge with the full world crown on the line.
But it was an equally frustrating affair for Ennis this time out, who was unable to stop his determined challenger as he fought better than in their opening meeting, and held him to another unanimous decision.
Although the spotlight was on his father and trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis who was heard barking orders from the champion’s corner.
He shouted regularly: “Get him out of here”.
It was the signal from the corner who wanted him to try and stop Chukhadzhian, and he was certainly doing that but was met with sheer bravery and a granite chin.
Fans were quick to criticise his advice with one writing: “Dude is rushing boots with terrible advice.
Another added: “Bozy Ennis sounding like bill Haney. No advice, ‘get him outta here’.”
A fan agreed: “Bozy ain’t a good trainer. ‘Get him out of there’ is not good advice when nothing else is working.”
While one fight viewer concluded: “Bozy has been a TERRIBLE trainer tonight. Boots might need another trainer to be honest.”
His father and trainer has guided him to 33 successive wins now, and will of course remain in the corner for the foreseeable future.
Ennis fought in front of his home crowd in Philadelphia and was looking to make a big statement to try and push into the pound-for-pound rankings, where he feels he belongs.
‘Boots’s began patiently with Chukhadzhian looking to start at a much better pace this time out, and the pair clipped each other in an intriguing opener.
It was much different to their affair, with Chukhadzhian trying to get some more eye-catching work for the judges to see, despite Ennis still doing enough to edge it.
But Ennis decided to up the ante in the fifth landing some thunderous blows which eventually paid their price, as he dropped his rival to a knee with a vicious barrage which included a crushing right uppercut.
He managed to survive and cling on until the bell, but it felt like a significant turning point as Ennis showed his class was starting to pay dividends.
Chukhadzhian showed he was going nowhere however and he regained his composure, but was deducted a point late on in the tenth.
And unfortunately Ennis failed to follow his father’s criticised advice as the contest went the distance, and he picked up the unanimous decision win again.
It is unclear what lies in store next for Ennis, who could look to unify with the division currently starved off big names.
But should he look continue to boost his profile, some big names could still lay in wait including British star Conor Benn.
Oscar De La Hoya even proposed a potential showdown with currently banned Ryan Garcia, who has suggested he is keen to move up to 147lbs after his struggles to make super-lightweight.
Ennis has tried his best to secure a shot against pound-for-pound leading star Terence Crawford, but that now appears off the table.
He was mandatory to face ‘Bud’ at 147lbs last year, but Crawford has since moved up to 154lbs and only wants a shot next at 168lbs champion Canelo Alvarez.
