Undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis is set to defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against Roiman Villa, an action-packed contender.
The fight will headline a Premier Boxing Champions event, broadcast live from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast kicks off at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also spotlight rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez squaring off against middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in a 10-round co-main event. Additionally, an explosive 10-round opener sees hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos go head-to-head with former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno.
Tickets for the live event go on sale on Monday, June 19 at 10 a.m. ET and can be acquired via Ticketmaster.com.
“Saturday, July 8 in Atlantic City will feature three exciting clashes that all have the ingredients to deliver action-packed bouts and memorable knockouts,” says Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Jaron Ennis has showcased his potential to be a future star of the sport, but he’ll be up against his most challenging adversary so far in Roiman Villa, who aims for his second major upset of the year.”
Ennis, a 25-year-old Philadelphian, has blended top boxing skills with natural power to propel himself amongst the welterweight elite. He heads into his upcoming bout with an impressive track record of 19 KOs in his last 20 fights. Ennis commented, “I know Villa is a straightforward fighter and that’s tailor-made for me. I’m ready to shine and make a big statement on July 8. My time is now!”
Venezuelan Roiman Villa, 30, achieved one of 2023’s most significant upsets with a majority decision victory over previously undefeated top contender Rashidi Ellis. He now gears up for Ennis, stating, “On July 8, I’m going to score another upset and ruin another undefeated record.”
Other fighters to watch include Yoelvis Gómez, who seeks a knockout victory against Taylor, and Edwin De Los Santos, who aims for a sensational knockout against Adorno.
Jaron Ennis, affectionately referred to as “Boots,” recently let the curtain drop in a frank discussion with Fight Hub TV.
“My readiness is a constant,” Boots disclosed, “Post-fight, I’m immediately back in the gym, continuously honing my skills for the next challenge.”
Ennis’ next foe is Roman Villa, the notorious pressure fighter, who controversially leapfrogged over Rashidi Ellis. The air is thick with anticipation for this bout. Much of this intrigue can be attributed to Villa’s astounding feat of flooring Ellis not once, but twice, clinching a unanimous decision in the process.
However, Ennis’ perspective of his rival is a blend of respect and objective analysis. “Villa is an uncomplicated, pressure-driven fighter, throwing wild punches with limited defense. He’s destined to walk into numerous punches,” Ennis commented, adding a tad of contention into the mix.
Despite Villa’s formidable reputation, Ennis remains undeterred. His confidence blooms from an intriguing data point: During the Villa-Ellis fight, over 40% of Ellis’s punches landed, including 49 power shots. Given that the majority agree Ennis’s strikes pack more punch than Ellis’s, it raises the question: How will Villa cope against Ennis’s superior power?
Ennis brushes off this line of thought confidently, “I don’t spend much time on that. Rashidi and I have distinct fighting styles. I am physically more dominating, larger, and I believe my power will catch Villa off guard,” he confidently predicted.
What should fans expect when the bell tolls on fight night? True to form, Ennis enjoys shrouding his plans in a bit of mystery: “Anticipate a spectacle, that’s all I can reveal. Our strategy is to lay the trap, overpower him, break him down, and enjoy ourselves.”
Is there a burden of expectations for Ennis to score a knockout? Ennis’ response is a firm no.
“I don’t obsess over knockouts. The entire training camp, my focus has been on enjoying myself and being authentic. If you don’t crave a knockout, everything else aligns naturally,” he rationalized.
