Jaron Ennis is clearly the No. 1 welterweight behind solely Ring champ Terence Crawford. Picture by Amanda Westcott/Matchroom
PHILADELPHIA — Jaron Ennis’ IBF welterweight title protection in opposition to David Avanesyan final Saturday pulled within the appreciable gate of $1,188,430, The Ring has realized.
The Ennis-Avanesyan gate receipts are spectacular contemplating the Philly native had not fought in his hometown since 2018 however was nonetheless capable of entice an introduced attendance of 14,119 to the 21,000-seat Wells Fargo Heart and not using a high-profile opponent.
The promotion obtained a substantial push from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, who signed the gifted welterweight earlier this 12 months, however was solely marginally helped by the Philadelphia sports activities media.
The 14,119 determine is the best attendance for an indoor card in Philadelphia since Marvin Hagler beat Bennie Briscoe by 10-round determination on August 24, 1978, on the defunct Philadelphia Spectrum (14,930).
Ennis-Avanesyan is the second-highest attended struggle in america this 12 months, behind the introduced crowd of 18,040 between MMA stars Nate Diaz-Jorge Masvidal on July 6 on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California. The occasion’s attendance quantity outdid the Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney match on April 20, which drew an introduced crowd of 13,382 ($4,356,065 gate) from 11,480 bought to Brooklyn’s Barclays Heart.
The Ennis-Avanesyan numbers are significantly spectacular, contemplating the shortage of native media the struggle attracted. The one main media outlet that coated the struggle was The Inquirer, with a number of pre-fight tales and struggle evening protection. Apart from that, the struggle went largely ignored within the Philadelphia sports activities media.
The cardboard was bolstered, nonetheless, by Washington. D.C. welterweight standout Jalil Hackett, and several other hometown fighters, together with junior welterweight Ismail Muhammad, featherweight Christian Carto and bantamweight Dennis Thompson, who made his professional debut.
The Philadelphia boxing group responded in drive, filling the decrease bowl of the Wells Fargo Heart, the place the NBA’s 76ers and NHL’s Flyers play their dwelling video games.
Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Heart, needs Ennis again later in 2024.
Hearn pledged to make it occur.
“If Boots obtained over 14,000 for Avanesyan, who fought a troublesome struggle, who is aware of what Boots would attract a title struggle in opposition to (WBC titlist Mario) Barrios or (WBA titlist Eimantas) Stanionis,” Hearn instructed The Ring. “We’re coming again right here. The numbers say this did effectively. We’re completely satisfied. I do know Boots is completely satisfied, and the individuals who personal the Wells Fargo Heart need to be completely satisfied.
“This was an enormous occasion, and the response says it was. And take into consideration this, Boots did this on his personal. (Matchroom) had lots to do with that, however it says one thing about Philadelphia boxing followers. This says that they acknowledge expertise, they acknowledge a champion. Boots is every little thing that’s good about boxing, and we might in all probability take a look at a date within the fall to deliver him again.”
Ed Kunkle, the Govt Director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Fee, was capable of touch upon the introduced attendance.
“The 14,119 is incredible,” he stated. “We’re very pleased with the turnout. The promoter was very pleased with the turnout, and I do consider that they are going to be again quickly with one other occasion. After I went within the again earlier than the struggle to speak to Boots and Bozy (Ennis, Boots’ father and coach), I instructed them that they made it to the highest and so they took their metropolis with them.
“They didn’t need to defend the title in Philadelphia. They needed to provide again to everybody who supported them. It reveals Philadelphia can help main fights—and this struggle proves it. Philadelphia is a good struggle metropolis.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Comply with @JSantoliquito
