Welterweight Jaron Ennis, one of the top prospects in boxing but unseen by most, is about to receive the television exposure he has been longing for.
Ennis, a 21-year-old from Philadelphia, will face Armando Alvarez in the scheduled 10-round main event of a “ShoBox: The New Generation” tripleheader on July 20 (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET/PT) at the WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa, GH3 Promotions and the network have announced.
Ennis (20-0, 18 KOs) was 58-3 as an amateur and won a 2015 National Golden Gloves title before turning professional in 2016 after he narrowly missed making the U.S. Olympic team by losing to Gary Antuanne Russell at the Olympic trials.
As a pro, Ennis has knocked out 10 opponents in a row and is anxious for a national audience to see him against Alvarez (18-0, 12 KOs), 28, of Key West, Florida.
“This is the opportunity I have been waiting for,” Ennis said. “I can’t wait to show the world my talent. A win on this platform would mean everything. From here on out, I want to fight only the big names in the division. I feel grateful for this opportunity to show the world my talents and skills. It’s great to follow in my brothers’ footsteps, and I am ready to take the Ennis last name to the next level.”
Ennis’ older brothers, Derek Jr. and Farah, also appeared on “ShoBox,” Derek in 2007 and Farah in 2013.
Alvarez, who won a Florida state amateur title in 2013, will also be taking on his most notable opponent.
“This is the biggest opportunity I have ever received,” Alvarez said. “This is it. It’s on. Ennis is a great young fighter, but I think he has stepped out of his league. He is just a kid. The world will find out who Armando Alvarez is on July 20.”
In the co-feature, lightweight Thomas Mattice (12-0, 10 KOs), 27, of Cleveland, will face Zhora Hamazaryan (9-0, 6 KOs), 22, an Armenia native fighting out of Los Angeles, in a 10-round bout.
“I am excited for the opportunity to showcase my talent again on ‘ShoBox,'” said Mattice, who will be making his second appearance on the series. “I’m going to go out there and do what I did before. I’m going to get a win, hopefully in knockout fashion. This guy doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into.” Hamazaryan fought his first eight bouts in Russia and then signed a co-promotional deal with Artie Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing in February and made his American debut that month.
“This fight is very important for me, and I am very excited to be fighting on national television in America,” Hamazaryan said. “I know (Mattice) is undefeated but I normally don’t look at my opponent. I’m just looking to put on a great performance and make a statement for fans in the U.S.”
The card will open with junior welterweight Montana Love (11-0, 5 KOs), 22, a southpaw from Cleveland making his second appearance on the series. Love, who has sparring experience against Adrien Broner and lightweight titlist Robert Easter Jr., will face fellow former amateur standout Kenneth Sims Jr. (12-1, 4 KOs), 24, of Chicago, who has sparred with both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather and is also returning to the series, in an eight-round fight.