Karen Chukhadzhyan (21-1, 11 KOs) had a great fight right at the start of 2023. Jaron Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) is a very strong near-champion level American. Whether an athlete from Ukraine will pull such a counterpart is a huge question.
Recently, Chukhadzhyan has been boxing in Germany. Nothing indicated that there would soon be a huge duel
The career of Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhyan now has several stages. The first is standard, where she fought in Ukraine. He wins well and confident. Without features. Karen lost for the first time – to Andrey Velikovsky, who had just made his debut, and is now training with Vyacheslav Senchenko, Chukhadzhyan’s coach. He beat several good athletes.
The second – when the career went up gradually. There were titles, for example, the international champion. In the same place – fights in Russia. There he beat two Russians: the aged Alexei Evchenko and the young Sergei Vorobyov, whom he promised so much that he lost without a chance.
The third is now. The promotional company switch led to clashes in Germany. There, Karen beat four opponents: Yannick Dehes, Roberto Arriaz, Ryan Martin and Blake Minto. All four – ahead of schedule. The latter two are strong opponents and boxers. Not super top, not near top ratings, but the boxers aren’t bad.
Karen has an IBF Intercontinental title, but the level of opposition suggested the 26-year-old Ukrainian had no plans to face Crawford and Spence. Of course, in one of the interviews he said that he was ready even now, but in fact he was brought to a more significant opposition precisely in 2023.
And here’s the news: Chukhadzhyan will fight Jaron Ennis. The fight will take place on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis fight. Top show, absolutely insane rival. This is not a step or two forward. It’s a ride, at least.
Jaron Ennis is a year younger than Chukhadzhyan, but he has already established himself as an athlete who is about to fight champions. And in general, as a person who in a few years can claim dominance in the category.
Not to mention that there were some names on Ennis’ record that would break the conscience. Of course, there are more of them than Chukhadzhyan, but there is no champion level there. For example, Russian or Kazakh boxer Sergei Lipinets. In 2021, Ennis just passed it. At first I adapted to the style, then I started hitting hard and from all sides, until I exhausted my opponent and knocked him out in the sixth round.
Looks good and Castin Clayton himself. Or Bakhtiyar Yeubov and Amando Alvarez. Were these opponents stronger than those who were beaten by Chukhadzhyan? Not all and not a big difference to say that the Ukrainian has not defeated anyone, but Ennis beats tough opponents.
However, a Lipinets makes all the difference. Jaron’s general level is good and his boxing against all these opponents is championship standard. Fast, accurate and knockout. However, exactly 90% of eliminated opponents say they not only don’t hold very well. Often it is not about that at all.
Therefore, the test for Chukhadzhyan is not easy. Even more than difficult.
Who is the favourite?
In general, bookmakers do not see why the Ukrainian should win. You can bet on his opponent for 1.03. Over Karen – for 12. To understand, the victory of Hector Luis Garcia over Gervonta Davis is considered more likely: 8 against 1.07.
Although here we can definitely say that Garcia was overrated, and Chukhadzhyan was underrated.
What is Jaron Ennis doing in the ring? He realizes American boxing at its best. He mainly works as a counterpuncher. Very fast and accurate. Very difficult. He has great timing. Lipintsa broke, as if Sergei boxed in slow motion. He saw the blows, let them pass by, and struck him so that he either turned around or his face instantly went red.
What can Chukhadzhyan do then? Yes, almost everything. Karen doesn’t have a terrible single shot, yes. She takes those early wins thanks to the tonnage of the strikes. But in all other respects, she is by no means a scapegoat. Great legs, ring feel and distance, great combination of body work and defense.
Karen has been gaining momentum for some time. 2-3, or even up to four rounds, to settle the other side and start acting. But Ennis doesn’t rush from the first seconds if the opponent starts to stop him. Chukhadzhyan knows how to do it.
The main drawback is the lack of at least some high-profile fights. In fact, Karen immediately goes to a fairly popular opponent in her territory, a favorite, but this has never happened before. It was like against Vorobyov: the Russian had the of him. But Ennis is even more powerful than that opponent. And the level of American and Russian shows shouldn’t be compared at all.
It’s hard to find anyone more versatile among Ennis’ rivals than Chukhajian. On the other hand, everyone who tried to beat Jaron in boxing, and not in a fight, lost. Already here, how lucky and whether Karen’s skills will be enough for such a fight.
In general, the comparison for Ukrainian looks very, very difficult, but interesting at the same time. More interesting than bookmakers and fans see. A minimum of experts or just fans give Chukhadzhyan not just a victory, but at least a chance. But in vain. Karen is amazing.
Sure, I’d like a win and an immediate upset of the year, and not just a good recommendation of myself in front of American fans. But in the end the second one will be fine too. And this is guaranteed by Chukhadzhyan.
