Jaron Ennis defeats Villa in 10
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, Jaron Ennis showcased his dominance in his second fight of 2023. The undefeated welterweight from Philadelphia, known for his powerful left-right combinations, faced off against Roiman Villa in a 12-round battle for Ennis' IBF interim welterweight title. The fight took place at Boardwalk Hall's Adrian Phillips Theater and was the main event of "Showtime Championship Boxing."
Ennis proved to be unstoppable as he systematically broke down Villa, ultimately leading to a 10th-round stoppage. With a vicious left-right combination, Ennis dropped a battered and bloodied Villa, prompting referee David Fields to wave off the fight. The official time of the stoppage was recorded at 1 minute and 27 seconds of the 10th round.
The victory marked Ennis' 31st consecutive win, with an impressive 28 knockouts to his name. Villa, hailing from Venezuela, suffered a knockout defeat for the first time in eight years as a professional boxer, bringing his record to 26 wins and 2 losses, with 24 knockouts.
Ennis expressed his appreciation for Villa's willingness to take the fight, acknowledging his opponent's bravery and toughness. Speaking to Showtime's Jim Gray after the bout, Ennis commended Villa and his family for their efforts, recognizing him as a true warrior.
At 26 years of age, Ennis successfully defended his IBF interim welterweight title, which he had claimed six months prior. In his previous fight, Ennis faced criticism from fans despite securing a shutout victory over Karen Chukhadzhian. The crafty Chukhadzhian managed to take Ennis the distance, breaking his 19-fight knockout streak. However, Ennis reassured Villa that their clash would be more challenging than any of his previous opponents, including Rashidi Ellis and Janelson Bocachica.
Throughout the fight, Ennis displayed his superior skills, leaving Villa with little opportunity to mount a comeback. Judges Lynne Carter, Mark Consentino, and John McKaie all had Ennis comfortably ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with scores of 88-83, 89-82, and 89-82, respectively.
By the start of the 10th round, Fields had warned Villa's corner that their fighter needed to show something, suggesting that the fight was on the verge of being stopped. Despite the warning, Villa continued to press forward until Ennis landed a powerful right hand that sent Villa to the canvas, leading to Fields' decision to halt the contest.
Following the fight, a New Jersey State Athletic Control Board physician examined Villa due to the one-sided nature of the bout. Villa was allowed to continue into the ninth round but struggled against Ennis' relentless assault.
Ennis showcased his dominance in earlier rounds, rocking Villa with a left uppercut in the eighth round and unloading a barrage of punches in the seventh round. The Philadelphia native's power shots repeatedly tested Villa's resilience, but the courageous contender managed to survive until the seventh round.
Throughout the fight, Ennis displayed his defensive skills, evading and shaking off Villa's punches. Villa's attempts to land power punches, such as right hands and uppercuts, were largely unsuccessful against Ennis' solid defense.
Ennis' offensive onslaught continued into the later rounds, with a right-left combination of uppercuts landing in the third round and power punches backing Villa up in the fourth round. Ennis even switched to a southpaw stance in the second round, catching Villa with a right hook that appeared to have caused a bloody nose.
In the first round, Ennis used his jab effectively and targeted Villa's body with punches. Towards the end of the round, Ennis briefly switched to a southpaw stance. Overall, Ennis demonstrated his superior technical skills and control throughout the fight.
Jaron Ennis' victory over Roiman Villa solidifies his position as a rising star in the welterweight division. With an impressive record of 31 wins, including 28 knockouts, Ennis continues to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world.
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