7/8 PBC on SHO: Jaron Ennis vs Roiman Villa / Yoelvis Gomez vs Marquis Taylor / Edwin De Los Santos vs Joseph Adorno

[patscorpio]

ATLANTIC CITY – June 16, 2023 – Undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis will defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against the biggest puncher he has faced in all-action contender Roiman Villa headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also feature rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos faces former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno in the explosive 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, go on sale Monday, June 19 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. The Ennis vs. Villa fight is promoted in association with D&D Boxing and Sampson Boxing.

“Saturday, July 8 in Atlantic City will feature three exciting clashes that all have the ingredients to deliver action-packed bouts and memorable knockouts,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Jaron Ennis has shown his ability to be a future star of the sport, but he’ll be up against his most difficult opponent so far in Roiman Villa, who will look to pick up his second major upset of the year. Make sure you tune into SHOWTIME or get into your seat early, because all these fights have the ability to end at any moment.”

Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is the latest in the pantheon of outstanding Philadelphia fighters, combining top boxing skills with natural power in both hands to vault up the welterweight division and establish himself as amongst the 147-pound elite. After two appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation®, the 25-year-old Ennis graduated to headlining his first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast in April 2021, as he became the first fighter to stop former world champion Sergey Lipinets. Heading into his most recent bout, Ennis had scored 19 KOs in his last 20 fights, before showing his ability to go the 12-round distance for the first time as he shut out Karen Chukhadzhian on his way to a unanimous decision in January.

"I'm excited to be fighting in the main event and I can’t wait to get in the ring,” said Ennis. “I know Villa is a straightforward fighter and that’s tailor-made for me. I’m going to win because I’ve been putting in the work, day in and day out. All my hard work will show on fight night. I’m ready to shine and make a big statement on July 8. My time is now!"

A native of Rosario, Venezuela, Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) delivered one of 2023’s biggest upsets in January as he eked out a majority decision victory over the previously undefeated top contender Rashidi Ellis. In an exciting toe-to-toe bout, Villa broke through in the 12th and final round as he dropped Ellis twice to clinch the career-changing win. The 30-year-old made a memorable U.S. debut last September as he dropped the previously unbeaten Janelson Bocachica on his way to a unanimous decision. The only blemish on his resume came via a 2019 split-decision in Mexico against Marcos Vilasana.

“I’m very thankful to my team for this life-changing opportunity,” said Villa. “Rashidi Ellis underestimated me before our last fight, so I knew I was going to win and go on to face Ennis. In order to be the best, you have to fight the best fighters. On July 8, I’m going to score another upset and ruin another undefeated record.”

The 25-year-old Gómez (6-0, 5 KOs) made a big statement in his U.S. debut on Christmas Day 2021, blasting out the typically durable Clay Collard in the first round of their showdown. Born in Havana, Cuba and now training in Los Angeles, the southpaw showed power in both hands and relentless finishing skills, immediately making him a rising contender in the talent-laden super welterweight division. He most recently stepped up his competition again, cruising to a shutout unanimous decision against hard-hitting veteran Jorge Cota in May 2022 on SHOWTIME.

“The wait is over and I’m excited to return to the ring,” said Gómez. “I’m very thankful to my whole team for bringing me back on the big stage. I had a great camp in L.A. with my trainer Joe Goossen, who has polished my style. I feel like a hungry lion and I’m ready to eat. My plan is to get the knockout and prove why I am the new boogeyman in the division. Taylor is going down and the fans are going to see me at my best.”

Representing his native Houston, Taylor (14-1-2, 1 KO) is unbeaten since dropping a four-round decision to Ladarius Miller in just his fourth pro fight back in 2015. Since then, the 29-year-old has worked his way up the ladder, including scoring victories over then-unbeaten fighters Sanjarbek Rakhmanov, Marlon Harrington and Jimmy Williams. Taylor has also fought tough contenders Paul Kroll and Luke Santamaria to draws and most recently defeated Oscar Chacin in February of this year.

"This is a great matchup and I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Taylor. “We’re two really good fighters and it will be a great matchup for the fans. Yoelvis Gómez is a young, strong fighter and he’s aggressive with a lot of power. A win should put me in a position to compete for a world title. Everyone is gonna see that I’m a big contender when I win on July 8."

De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs) has scored emphatic knockout victories over previously undefeated opponents in his last two outings to stamp himself as a young fighter to watch. Last September the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-native stepped in on short notice and dramatically stopped Jose Valenzuela in three rounds to punctuate a firefight that saw both men hit the canvas. Previously, De Los Santos blasted out Luis Acosta in two rounds in March 2022. The 23-year-old power-puncher has ended all but one of his victories by knockout since turning pro in 2018

“I’m planning to show the world that I am an uncrowned world champion by scoring another sensational knockout on July 8,” said De Los Santos, who suffered his only defeat in January 2022 against another undefeated fighter on SHOWTIME. “I want to thank my team for giving me another opportunity to show off my skills and for believing in me after my defeat. I’m more motivated now than ever. I’m too close to my dream for anyone to be able to stop me.”

Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs) will look to get back in the win column after losing a narrow decision to 140-pound contender Elvis Rodriguez in February. Prior to that defeat, Adorno had won three-straight bouts, including a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Hugo Alberto Roldan in September 2022. The 24-year-old was born in Union City, N.J., and now resides in Allentown, Pa., and is trained by respected coach Raul “Chino” Rivas. Adorno turned pro in 2016 at the age of 17 after a standout amateur career where he amassed a 178-22 record and beat two-division champion Shakur Stevenson twice in the unpaid ranks.

"For this fight, I've had a full training camp, so there are no excuses and I'm ready to perform,” said Adorno. “I expect De Los Santos to come ready and be strong. We know he has power in both hands and we’re gonna be ready for what he’s bringing. My boxing skills will be the difference and get me the victory on July 8."

 

[patscorpio]

people are sleeping on this card

 

[Purplekush]

This will be my first live boxing event

 

[CBalla]

mann i need boots to get the ko to setup a fight vs thurman / ugas / stanionis / ortiz

 

[patscorpio]

i think de los santos might actually get rid of adorno inside of 5 rounds

gomez opponent is a wild card...he doesnt have a lot of power but might be a little spoilerish

 

[Electric Ladyland]

i think de los santos might actually get rid of adorno inside of 5 rounds

gomez opponent is a wild card...he doesnt have a lot of power but might be a little spoilerish

i dont know why Adorno keeps taking these tough ass fights

he’s never gonna be able to rebuild like this

 

[patscorpio]

i dont know why Adorno keeps taking these tough ass fights

he’s never gonna be able to rebuild like this

agreed

 

[patscorpio]

Rashidi Ellis Expecting Jaron Ennis To Take Care Of Business Against Villa​

BY HANS THEMISTODE
Published Tue Jul 04, 2023, 09:33 AM EDT
For the majority of his career, Rashidi Ellis was able to skate by on pure skills and athleticism. Against Roiman Villa, however, the 30-year-old welterweight contender was forced to go to plan B.
On January 7th, at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., Ellis attempted to use Villa as a springboard to bigger and better things. But, after hurting his right hand early on, Ellis revealed that he was out of his element.
He boxed, used perpetual movement, and held on for dear life whenever Villa came within range. But while his game plan helped him bank most of the early rounds, it was Villa who had more in the tank in the second half. Two knockdowns in the final period also didn't help Ellis.
As a reward, the 30-year-old will now take on Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Villa, despite possessing the sort of power that can send his opponents to another dimension, is viewed as a gigantic underdog this upcoming weekend. Still, as of late, Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) has shown a tendency for giving highly praised prospects their first defeat. But regardless of showing both Ellis and Janelson Figueroa Bocachica what it feels like to come out on the losing end, Ellis doesn't believe that Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) will have any issues whatsoever with Villa come fight night.
“Nah,” said Ellis to BoxingScene.com when asked if Villa has what it takes to beat Ennis. “Boots is gonna beat him. All you gotta do is look at my fight. All you have to do is work the jab and come with the right, I didn't have a right.”
One hand or not, Ellis threw the kitchen sink at Villa. Yet, in spite of snapping his head back on countless occasions, Villa never grimaced in pain. Ennis though, appears to have a bit more pop at the end of his punches. For the newly turned 26-year-old, only recently was his knockout streak snapped. Karen Chukhadzhian, his latest opponent, refused to stand still and scored somewhat of a moral victory for remaining upright against Ennis for 12 complete rounds, despite losing a lopsided decision.
Villa, nevertheless, has never taken a step back. Ubiquitous firepower and a never-ending engine have made him a welterweight handful. But that could also make him a sitting duck for the sort of heat Ennis will be throwing in his direction. Ultimately, the question for Villa is whether or not his ironclad chin will hold up. According to Ellis though, he doubts it.
“He's tough, that motherf----- can take a hit. I was hitting him with some sh!t but he (Ennis) could stop him, he could.”

 

[patscorpio]

 

[patscorpio]

Villa On Facing Favored Ennis: Ellis, Bocachica Said They’d Beat Me; Who Ended Up Winning?​

BY KEITH IDEC
Published Thu Jul 06, 2023, 09:32 AM EDT
Roiman Villa will be one of the few people inside Boardwalk Hall who will see Jaron Ennis fight for the first time Saturday night.
The gifted, undefeated Philadelphia native has attracted a lot of attention throughout his ascension in the welterweight division over the past few years. The 26-year-old Ennis’ uncommon combination of hand speed, intelligence, power, versatility and athleticism have prevented opponents from winning rounds against him, let alone fights.
Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs, 1 NC) has become must-see TV, but Venezuela’s Villa has stuck to his habit of refusing to watch footage of his opponents prior to their “Showtime Championship Boxing” main event at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey (9:30 p.m. EDT; 6:30 p.m. PDT).
“I know that most fighters study tape and see what their opponents are gonna do,” Villa told BoxingScene.com, according to his translator. “But I feel like when you do that you start thinking more about what the other guy is gonna do and you stop realizing what you can do and what you can discover about yourself. And you kind of psych yourself out in the process. So, ever since I was a kid, I refused to watch any of my opponent’s fights.
“Because in the end, I can adapt to absolutely anything. If Ennis wants to fight orthodox, then he can go ahead. If he wants to fight southpaw, then I’ll adapt just like that. My style of fighting is one size fits all, and I’m able to overcome and adapt to anything that my opponent might do.”
Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) has beaten undefeated fighters in back-to-back bouts.
He was an underdog against Rashidi Ellis as well, but Villa scored two knockdowns during the 12th round and edged Ellis by majority decision January 7 on the Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia undercard at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Those two knockdowns accounted for the differences on the cards of judges Dave Braslow (114-112) and Paul Wallace (114-112), whereas judge Tammye Jenkins scored Villa-Ellis a draw (113-113).
“The two knockdowns did make the difference,” Villa said. “I’m well aware of that. Ellis probably won the first half of the fight, but that’s why we fight until the final bell. And the last few rounds were very important. I was able to prevail in those rounds and then I came out with my hand raised.”
In Villa’s previous fight, he battered Detroit’s Janelson Bocachia on his way to an eight-round, unanimous-decision victory. Villa dropped Bocachica in the second round and won by large margins on all three scorecards – 79-71, 79-71, 78-72 – last September 9 at Bally’s Grand Ballroom in Atlantic City.
Neither Ellis (24-1, 15 KOs) nor Bocachica (17-1-1, 11 KOs) are as highly regarded as Ennis, who went the distance for the first time in nearly six years in the fight after Villa upset Ellis on the Davis-Garcia undercard.
Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian extended Ennis through 12 rounds for the first time in Ennis’ seven-year pro career. Chukhadzhian was reluctant to engage, though, and lost every round on all three scorecards in their fight for the IBF interim welterweight title (120-108, 120-108, 120-108).
The typically aggressive Villa should be far easier for Ennis to hit than the elusive Chukhadzhian (22-2, 12 KOs). Villa still doesn’t seem the least bit concerned about Ennis’ expansive repertoire or that most sportsbooks have established Ennis as a 12-1 favorite.
“It comes down to what’s gonna happen on July 8th,” Villa said. “People, experts, they can talk as much as they want. But the last words come from the man up above. And besides, Rashidi Ellis said that he was gonna beat me. Bocachica said that he was gonna beat me. Who ended up winning? Me.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

 

[Knicksman20]

Anyone that sits in front of Boots is gonna make him look dynamic. Hopefully he improves his footwork from the Karen fight but Villa can’t possibly exploit that. Though there are holes in Boots defense where you can hit him & pretty damn clean

 

[patscorpio]

 

[patscorpio]

Ennis-Villa: Showtime To Stream Three-Fight Countdown Show​

BY RANDOM HITS
Published Fri Jul 07, 2023, 11:26 AM EDT
Unbeaten prospects will square off in a trio of matchups highlighting the Showtime Boxing Countdown live streaming presentation this Saturday, July 8 from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Action live on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and is topped by 2020 Dominican Olympian Euri Cedeno taking on fellow unbeaten William Townsel in an eight-round middleweight affair. The lineup will also see a rematch of unbeaten heavyweights as Steven Torres and James Evans look to settle the score after their January 2022 split-draw and super welterweights Dwyke Flemmings Jr. and Henry Rivera compete in a four-round battle.
The live stream is hosted by award-winning Morning Kombat live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, as well as by Stephen Jackson, the former NBA champion and co-host of the popular show All The Smoke, who will all be ringside for the three bouts.
These fights precede a Showtime Championship Boxing tripleheader headlined by undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis defending his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against all-action contender Roiman Villa in a telecast that starts at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. The Ennis vs. Villa fight is promoted in association with D&D Boxing and Sampson Boxing.
The 23-year-old Cedeño (4-0, 4 KOs) will make his U.S. debut on July 8, having stopped all four of his opponents since turning pro in October 2022. Representing La Romana, Dominican Republic, Cedeño comes from a boxing family as both his younger brother and sister box, with the 2020 Olympian Euri leading the way in the pro ranks. He will be opposed by the 28-year-old Townsel (5-0, 4 KOs), who enters this bout having scored two knockouts so far in 2023. Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Townsel now resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Fighting out of Reading, Pennsylvania, Torres (5-0-1, 5 KOs) burst onto the pro scene in December 2019 and went on to stop his first five opponents in two rounds or less. The 25-year-old first went toe-to-toe with Evans (6-0-1, 6 KOs) on New Year’s Day 2022, as the two supersized heavyweights fought to a split draw. A 30-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, Evans has added stoppage wins over Geovany Bruzon and Marcus Maulding since their 2022 clash.
The 19-year-old Flemmings (3-0, 3 KOs) turned pro in December 2021 and has earned three-straight stoppages heading into Saturday night. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Flemmings most recently stopped Assuan Jones Chatman in the first round of their September 2022 matchup. He will be opposed by the 33-year-old Rivera (2-0, 1 KO), who fights out of Las Vegas and is originally from Oakland, California. Rivera’s last outing saw him earn a TKO over Tyre Rivera in April 2023.
The non-televised lineup will see super lightweight prospect Ismail Muhammad (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round clash against Texas’ Parker Bruno (0-1).

 

[patscorpio]

Jaron Ennis vs. Roiman Villa - Weigh-In Results From Atlantic City​

BY KEITH IDEC
Published Fri Jul 07, 2023, 01:36 PM EDT
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – Jaron Ennis demonstrated Friday afternoon at Showboat that he can still comfortably make the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
Ennis stepped on the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board’s scale at 145½ pounds for his “Showtime Championship Boxing” main event against Roiman Villa on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater. Villa officially weighed 146½ pounds.
Philadelphia’s Ennis, 26, will make his first defense of the IBF interim welterweight title he won when he shut out Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian on all three scorecards in his last fight. Chukhadzhian (22-2, 12 KOs) was an unknown underdog entering their bout, but he surprisingly ended Ennis’ 19-fight knockout streak and became the first opponent to take Ennis 12 rounds since he made his pro debut in April 2016.
Villa, 30, upset Rashidi Ellis the same night Ennis conquered Chukhadzhian on the Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia undercard January 7 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Venezuela’s Villa scored two knockdowns during the 12th round, which accounted for the two-point differences on the scorecards of judges Dave Braslow (114-112) and Paul Wallace (114-112). Judge Tammye Jenkins scored the Villa-Ellis bout a draw (113-113).
Ellis, of Lynn, Massachusetts, nevertheless lost for the first time as a pro (24-1, 15 KOs).
Villa’s victory over Ellis made him the IBF’s number two contender in the welterweight division and a logical opponent for Ennis’ first title defense. The number one spot in the IBF’s rankings is unoccupied.
The official weights for the televised and streamed fights on the Ennis-Villa undercard are listed below.
Showtime
9:30 p.m. EDT; 6:30 p.m. PDT
Yoelvis Gomez (6-0, 5 KOs), Havana, Cuba, 159 pounds vs. Marquis Taylor (14-1-2, 1 KO, 1 NC), Galena Park, Texas, 158 pounds, 10 rounds, middleweights.
Edwin De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 133 pounds vs. Joseph Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs), Allentown, Pennsylvania, 135 pounds, 10 rounds, lightweights.
Showtime Sports YouTube channel
7:30 p.m. EDT; 4:30 p.m. PDT
Euri Cedeno (4-0, 4 KOs), La Romana, Dominican Republic, 159 pounds vs. William Townsel (5-0, 4 KOs), Virginia Beach, Virginia, 157½ pounds, 8 rounds, middleweights.
Steven Torres (5-0-1, 5 KOs), Reading, Pennsylvania, 239 pounds vs. James Evans (6-0-1, 6 KOs), Toledo, Ohio, 225½ pounds, 8 rounds, heavyweights.
Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), Paterson, New Jersey, 156½ pounds vs. Henry Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, 156½ pounds, 4 rounds, middleweights.

 

[((ReFleXioN)) EteRNaL]

Looking forward to this. Will be a good test for Ennis. He needs more experience against pressure fighters who are gonna make him work every round. Should be entertaining.