Ennis stops Avanesyan, wants big names next

Jaron Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) retained his IBF World welterweight title, defeating Russia’s David Avanesyan (30-5-1) on Saturday night in Philadelphia.

Ennis dropped Avanesyan with a counter right hand in fifth round. Avanesyan retired after five completed rounds.

After the fight Ennis said that he wants now to face big names.

“I felt off a little bit. … My timing was a little off,” said Ennis, who was competing for the first time in a year. “I want the big names, Terence Crawford.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn, which signed Ennis to multifight deal earlier this year, said that En nis is the future of boxing.

He said that plans are to unify titles in welterweight division before moving to super-welterweight.

In undercard Skye Nicolson (11-0) defended her WBC World featherweight title beating via unanimous decision Dyana Vargas (19-2).