The highly anticipated welterweight clash between IBF champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis and challenger Karen Chukhadzhian left the boxing world stunned. Trainer Stephen Edwards provided a unique perspective on the fight, shedding light on Ennis' shortcomings and Chukhadzhian's impressive performance that has set the stage for a potential future title reign.

A Tactical Masterpiece That Defied Expectations

Neutralizing the Ennis Offense

Trainer Stephen Edwards was taken aback by the ease with which Karen Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) was able to neutralize the formidable offense of IBF welterweight champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis. Chukhadzhian's ability to hold Ennis and prevent him from escaping the clinches was a testament to his ring IQ and physical strength.Edwards noted that Ennis appeared distracted by the crowd and was not fully focused on his trainer's instructions. Ennis' father and trainer, Derek 'Bozy' Ennis, was simply urging his son to "Get him out of there," rather than providing tactical advice to counter Chukhadzhian's effective game plan.

Chukhadzhian's Potential as a Future Champion

The way Chukhadzhian fought on that night has led Edwards to believe that the Ukrainian challenger could be a future champion at 147 pounds. His performance has set the stage for him to potentially grab one of the welterweight world titles in the near future.Even in a potential rematch with Ennis, an improved Chukhadzhian might prove to be too much for the champion. Edwards believes that if Chukhadzhian can add just 30% more to his already impressive showing, he would have a strong chance of defeating Ennis.

Chukhadzhian's Physicality and Punching Power

One of the key factors that stood out to Edwards was Chukhadzhian's physical strength and punching power. The trainer observed that Chukhadzhian was physically stronger than Ennis, and his ability to grab and hold the champion in a wrestling-like manner made it extremely difficult for Ennis to escape the clinches.Edwards also noted that Chukhadzhian's shots appeared to be harder than Ennis', which was a surprising revelation given the champion's reputation for his own punching power. This added dimension to Chukhadzhian's arsenal made him an even more formidable opponent on the night.

Ennis' Vulnerabilities Exposed

Despite Ennis' reputation for having a solid chin, Edwards expressed concern about the champion's tendency to get hit while he was punching. This, he argued, is a significant vulnerability that can lead to serious damage, even for a fighter with a strong chin.Ennis was consistently getting hit by Chukhadzhian's shots, which landed cleanly while the champion was in the process of throwing his own punches. Edwards emphasized that this is a dangerous pattern that Ennis needs to address, as it can result in him being knocked out, even against opponents with less power than Chukhadzhian.

Ennis' Potential Struggles at Higher Weight Classes

The performance of Chukhadzhian has also raised questions about Ennis' ability to succeed at higher weight classes, such as 154 and 160 pounds. Edwards believes that while Ennis has the potential to win world titles in those divisions, he may struggle against the best champions, as he did against the determined and skilled Chukhadzhian.The trainer suggested that Ennis' path to success at those higher weight classes may require strategic matchmaking, as he may not be able to simply overpower the elite fighters in those divisions with his current skill set and physical attributes.Overall, the insights provided by Stephen Edwards shed light on the impressive performance of Karen Chukhadzhian and the vulnerabilities that were exposed in Jaron 'Boots' Ennis' game plan. This analysis has set the stage for a potential rematch that could further cement Chukhadzhian's status as a rising force in the welterweight division.