Big things are expected of Jaron Ennis. The prodigiously talented Philadelphian is on the cusp of breaking through into the welterweight elite with no opponent seemingly beyond his reach.
Just how far Ennis can rise, and how quickly, should become clearer on Saturday night when he takes on no-nonsense Russian Sergey Lipinets at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, in a PBC event broadcast on US network Showtime.
Former IBF 140lbs champion Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs) is expected to provide rounds and a stiff test, but Ennis is predicting a breakout performance.
“After I do my thing on Saturday night and I do it with a big statement, it’s only up from there. On to bigger and better things. The elite fighters and the top three guys and then maybe a world title by the end of the year. This fight is just going to elevate my ranking, my superstardom and it will be the start of me being a pay-per-view star,” said ‘Boots’ Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs and 1 NC).
“I’m not worried about what Lipinets is talking about. At the end of the day, he still has to get in the ring with me on Saturday night. And we’re going to see. They don’t know what I’m going to bring. I’m an all-around fighter. You don’t know how I’m going to fight. I can fight several different ways. He just needs to know he’s gotta be ready.
“Everybody knows my style. I’m in and out like a robbery. The main goal is to be smart, go in there and win in dominating fashion. If the knockout comes, it comes. But the goal is to look good, put on a beautiful performance and get the knockout at the end of the night.
“These are the types of fights I’ve been waiting for. This is the guy that’s going to take me to the next level because he has a good name and he was a former world champion at 140 pounds. After this, without looking past Sergey Lipinets, I feel like I’m ready for a top five or top three guy and then a world title at the end of the year. If any of the top guys need a dance partner, they can just call.
“I’ve been trying to get these types of guys in the ring for about two-and-a-half years. I’ve been trying to get former world champions and top ten guys. It just didn’t happen. I finally got my chance and you guys are going to see a whole different animal. A whole different beast. It’s time for me to do my thing. I’m real excited.
“His style is tailor-made for me. Him coming forward is picture-perfect for me. He’s going to be running into shots all night long. It’s going to be a long night for him.”
Main image: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.