JARON Ennis will face a new opponent on July 13. Southpaw David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KOs) has stepped in to replace Cody Crowley, who withdrew due to persistent eye damage. Avanesyan, a former European champion, inflicted Josh Kelly’s first professional loss in 2021. The Newark-based upsetter previously snapped the 27-0 record of Spanish banger Kerman Lejarraga, so Ennis will need to be on his guard.
Josh Kelly learned plenty from his first pro loss against David Avanesyan in 2021 (Dave Thompson)
Boxing as a headliner in the Wells Fargo Center, ‘Boots’ (31-0, 28 KOs) is making the first defence of his recently upgraded IBF title. Former champion Terence Crawford defeated Avanesyan in six rounds at the tail end of 2022, so this will be a decent measuring stick between the pair.
“Now that Crowley is officially not my opponent, I actually like Avanesyan as a better opponent,” said Ennis. “He will put up a better fight which will be what I want. July 13, don’t miss this beautiful, outstanding performance!”