By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Jaron Ennis look to stay undefeated against Roiman Villa and defend his interim IBF world welterweight champion. Roiman Villa was full of confidence, but it did not take long for the notion of Villa being in the same league as Ennis ended quickly as Ennis simply used his quick hands to dominate the fight. Over the first two rounds, Ennis landed thirty-six punches to Villa’s two. Villa did not even strike a blow in the second round and Villa kept coming forward despite a bloody nose. Ennis used quick right hooks off his southpaw and Villa often missed Ennis with a wide shots. From this point, it was obvious that Ennis was in a different league than Villa.
Ennis doled out punishment from the opening bell and while he was extended past round seven for the second time in his career, it was an easy fight for Ennis. In the sixth round, he buckled Villa as he connected a series of right hands, and while he had Villa in serious trouble, Villa stayed on his feet.
He also nailed Villa with a left upper cut and hurt Villa in the seventh round. The upper cut was an effective punch in the entire fight and in the tenth round he stopped Villa.
Ennis landed 227 punches versus only sixty-five punches for Villa, and he connected on 36 percent of his punches compared to only 14 percent for Villa. Ennis landed more power shots and almost as many jabs compared to Villa’s total amount. This was complete domination.
Ennis wants the winner of the Errol Spence Jr. versus Terrance Crawford bout for the King of the Welterweight division, and he certainly is ready to fight either one.
Ennis looks like the biggest threat to the Spence v Bud winner. If it never happens it will be like Duran or Benitez never having faced SRL or Hearns.