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By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
With UFC off to its international home base of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, boxing took center stage as chief combat sports entertainment on The Strip this weekend.
Headlined by veterans Jamal James and Radzhab Butaev, Showtime Championship Boxing hosted another in its series of main events inside Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort.
The featured bout ended in a ninth round TKO for newly crowned WBA champion Butaev, but it was the co-main featuring Philadelphia’s Jaron “Boots” Ennis (25-6-1, 16 KOs) vs former title challenger Thomas Dulorme that stole the show. The rising welterweight star only needed 1:49 of the first round to score an explosive first-round knockout, the 12th of Ennis’ young career.
“It was a good knockout,” said Ennis. “You know me, I wanted to show my skills and abilities. I’m just thankful for this opportunity. Now it’s on to the next. Let’s get the big names.”
Ennis landed a left hook followed by a right that dropped Dulorme hard. Once Dulorme made it back to his feet, Boots stepped on the gas, putting together a combination and closed the show.
“Tell the rest of the division I’m coming. Either fight me, or get out of my way,” he told media during the post-fight press conference.
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When asked about his experience fighting in Las Vegas, Ennis was unbothered by the potential distractions of the city.
“I’ve been boxing my entire life. This is what I do. So, there’s no distractions at all in Las Vegas. I mean it’s cool and all with the history and the big fights that happened here. It’s just another day at the office for me.”
Las Vegas is as much a Mecca for big time boxing events as it is for introducing and coming talent to the mainstream. We’ve seen it before though. There are names on the marque all over The Strip. Many complete their event and are never heard from again.
With Ennis, it’s only a matter of time before he returns to the city as a headliner, with real selling power for his promoter.
Throughout the week, pre-fight buzz centered heavily around Boots. To the extent that the usually late arriving Vegas crowd was almost fully seated for the co-main event. Given his meteoric rise in the division, it’s conceivable Ennis could etch his accomplishments next to names like Floyd Mayweather. The 24-year-old is that good.
Just over 11 years ago, Bernard Hopkins, another Philly fighter, the most accomplished boxer to come out of the city, headlined what many considered to be a dud of an event against Las Vegas resident Roy Jones Jr. The twelve round re-match was also at Mandalay Bay. Even with that lackluster showing, those names are ensconced in the record books with a catalog of titles; something Ennis is looking to do in his career.
Las Vegas has benefited as a destination in the second half of 2021 as COVID restrictions continue to relax and allow more crowds into arenas around the country.
When he returns to fight in Las Vegas, the 2020 Prospect of the Year will have a notable opponent. “I’ve been ready for a world title two years ago. I want the top guys: Errol Spence Jr., Yordenis Ugas, Shawn Porter, Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman. I’m ranked #3 in the IBF, so Errol Spence Jr. is who I want next.”