It’s official – ‘Boots’ Ennis is COMING HOME for his Matchroom Boxing debut after the American superstar signed for Eddie Hearn in a stunning recent move.
The announcement that the welterweight prodigy was signing with the Essex magnate made huge waves in the sport, adding a potential future P4P mainstay to Hearn’s growing arsenal of talent.
DAZN: Sign up to watch Canelo vs Munguia LIVE!
And now ‘Boots’ (31-0 with 28 KOs) gets the Matchroom debut he dreamed of, a homecoming bout in his native Philadelphia.
Ennis will defend his IBF world welterweight title against mandatory challenger Cody Crowley (22-0 with 9 KOs) in a bout which will air live globally on streaming platform DAZN. The date for your diary is Saturday July 13 with ring walks expected around 11pm local time (8pm PST or 4am Sunday in the UK). The venue is Wells Fargo Center – home of the NHL Philadelphia Flyers and the NBA’s 76ers.
‘Boots’ Ennis on Philly homecoming
The 26-year-old Ennis, raised in Germanstown, has not fought in Philly since 2018 and this will be his first bout in just over a year. To say he cannot wait would be an understatement.
“I’m excited for my homecoming especially being the first to fight at the Wells Fargo Center, the biggest arena in Philly. I can’t wait to show out and put on a beautiful, dominating, crushing performance in front of my family, friends and supporters while defending and retaining my IBF World title in spectacular fashion. I’m ready to step on any and everybody that’s in my way!”
While Crowley will likely start as a major underdog, he is bent on spoiling the party on a night when he gets his shot at boxing greatness.
READ MORE: The Moses Itauma Story: The inside track on boxing’s next heavyweight great
He explained: “Ten years ago, I arrived in Las Vegas with a dream of becoming World champion, unbroken by the sport. The only thing left to do is prove to the world in the City of Brotherly Love, that I am an undefeated champion, my spirit is unbeatable and I will fight for those who are too scared to fight.
“I will become the greatest in the world for my dad, who I love and miss dearly, my home country of Canada, and for world peace, so that others do not have to endure the same suffering. There is nothing anyone can do to break me. There is nothing I am not ready for. This next chapter is already written.”
Hearn excited by Ennis potential
Hearn is on the crest of a wave right now, having pulled off a major coup last week with the news that P4P king Terence Crawford will top that ‘Riyadh Season’ show set for August 3 in Los Angeles.
He gushed: “I am thrilled to be able to deliver a homecoming defense for Boots. Jaron is the next American star in boxing, and sports stars with all the tools he has should be headlining in their own city.
“This is just the beginning for Jaron in Philadelphia, a town that absolutely loves their sport, and in Jaron they can boast that their hometown hero is the best in the business. July 13 is going to be a massive night – we can’t wait to come back to Philadelphia for the first of many epic nights with Boots.”
