PHILADELPHIA — Jaron Ennis’ latest 147-pound title defense may be his last in the weight class — the Philly fighter with plans to win more titles is on the verge of moving up for a new group of opponents.

Ennis defended her share of the 147-pound title with a straight-up performance in front of her hometown crowd with a unanimous decision win over Ukrainian fighter Karen Chukhadzhian at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.

Ennis, known as Boots, won 119-107, 117-109, 116-110 on the scorecards to retain his IBF heavyweight title.

“I felt like it was a good performance,” Ennis said. “I could have been so much better.”

Ennis, 27, of northwest Philadelphia, competed for the second time this year in the Philadelphia arena, home to both the 76ers and Flyers.

Ennis, Errol Spence Jr. or openly stating that he wants to fight Terence Crawford. He also wants to try out Canelo Alvarez. Ennis also didn’t rule out moving up his weight class to 154 pounds.

The next fight could be lucrative if Ennis decides to surrender his 147-pound championship belt. Ennis lost the interim WBC super heavyweight title to Vergil Ortiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia in February. He would line up to fight with.

“I want to fight the best,” Ennis said. “You will get better when you fight the best.”

Ennis (33-0) came close to victory in the fifth round when Chukhadzhian landed on his right knee in the corner with a series of body shots and weaved his way through the Philly crowd.

Ennis’ corner ordered the fighter to “get Chukhadzhian out of here already!” he shouted. in the depths of the struggle. Ennis was touted as one of the rising stars in a sport desperately needed in America.

He did not lose the crowd of the country. Ennis certainly never won by stoppage seriously out of reach for many other fans — especially first-time viewers watching the card on DAZN — but going for the big knockout seemed to be his only goal.

“I know in my next fight I will be good, I will be better,” Ennis said.

This was a rematch of their fight in January 2023, with Ennis winning via unanimous decision. Ennis defended his heavyweight title against Roiman Villa in Atlantic City, New Jersey that year, and defeated David Avanesyan on his homecoming in Philly this year.

Ennis’ biggest knock is his lack of defence.

Sure, Ennis stumbled in the first round after getting hit with a big left hand, but he never left his feet. Chukhadzhian (24-3) was more assertive in the rematch and should have been looking for a widely panned performance in their first fight. He landed his share of body shots, but not enough to do serious damage or score enough runs on the scorecards.

Ennis headlined a card in July that drew a surprise 14,119 fans to Wells Fargo Center.

Saturday night’s attendance didn’t quite reach July’s attendance, largely due to the rematch against a lackluster opponent. Still, nearly 10,000 fans were firmly behind Boots — he wore metal shoulder spikes and purple and white shorts as he walked to the ring accompanied by rapper G Herbo — and they all held up their smartphones as the ring announcer implored them to “Shine your light.” Boots!”

“No one actually wanted to see this fight,” Ennis said. “I joined this fight to keep busy. He was my mandatory defense, so I had to fight him.”

His fights are sponsored by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

“We know we can bring big crowds to Philadelphia,” Hearn said. “We love it here. Big crowd both times.”

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez successfully defended his share of the super flyweight title by defeating Pedro Guevara in the third round. Rodriguez, 24, from San Antonio, knocked down Guevara twice in the third round and put his opponent on his back the second time, which was enough for the referee to stop the fight.

Rodriguez (21-0) used a right uppercut to knock Guevara (42-5-1) down in the third round and remain at the top of the 115-pound division.

“I’m pretty happy, but I already knew it was going to happen this way,” he said. “I really thought you were going to stand there and fight some more.”

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