The IBF-ordered bout between IBF super welterweight champion Jaron Ennis and Ukrainian challenger Karen Chukhadzhian will not be promoted by prominent promotion Matchroom as reports have come out that the British-based promotional outfit was actually outbid by the promotion representing Chukhadzhian. The two will now be competing at a location of Chukhadzhian’s choosing, taking away the opportunity for Matchroom to showcase their fighter, Ennis, on of the biggest stages in boxing due to the promotion’s connections and their broadcaster, DAZN.
The IBF naturally raised some eyebrows after ordering Jaron Ennis (32-0, 29 KO’s) and Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KO’s) to fight in a mandated welterweight (147 lbs) title bout―despite the two having already battled before in 2023, Chukhadzhian currently occupies the #1 position on the IBF’s welterweight rankings aside from currently being considered the mandatory challenger.
Thus far, Jaron Ennis has only made a single title defense after being elevated from interim champion to world champion last year. While he and Cody Crowley (22-0, 9 KO’s) had been ordered by the IBF to face each other earlier this year, Crowley eventually pulled out of the bout due to medical reasons, forcing Ennis to face David Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KO’s) in his first-ever title defense.
Despite Ennis’ status as a champion and overall view as a prolific future generational boxer, his current promoter, Matchroom, appears to have fumbled their opportunity to expand Ennis’ brand and name according to a recent report by boxing social media reporter Jake Donovan who revealed Matchroom had been outbid by Chukhadzhian’s representatives, P2M Box Promotions, during yesterday’s scheduled purse bid proceedings on September 3rd.
P2M Box Promotions, who represent Chukhadzhian, has now been designated as the acting promoter for the ordered bout between Ennis and Chukhadzhian. Notably, P2M has no notable name in the grander scheme of the boxing industry but managed to exceed expectations by bidding the right amount.
Though it was initially reported that P2M had won through a bid of approximately $250,000, it actually appears that the company outbid Matchroom by roughly $500,000.
The ball is now fully in P2M Box Promotions’ court as they now hold the rights to stage and broadcast the Ennis-Chukhadzhian fight whereever they please. In that essence, the lesser-known promotion has performed a relative coup in Tuesday’s purse bid proceedings―especially given Ennis is widely regarded as the best welterweight in the division,
The move further signals a firm loss for global promotion Matchroom who had the means to outbid P2M, but whether through a blunder in misinterpreting currencies or something else, Ennis may yet question his signing to Matchroom now that he has been deprived of another homecoming title defense that would be backed by the platform of global streaming giant DAZN.
It is currently unknown which broadcasters or venue connections P2M Box Promotions retains, but Chukhadzhian has been featured in Germany several times. Considering P2M does not have the same pull as Matchroom, Ennis will be forced to fight on a smaller and lesser-known platform where he will likely be the away fighter―which may result in less earnings, depending on whether the fight will even be featured on pay-per-view (PPV), and it will further draw less eyes towards the fight.
Despite Matchroom’s blunder, accidental or not, Jaron Ennis can take solace in the fact he has a great chance of winning given his last match against Chukhadzhian culminated in a unanimous decision (UD) victory. However, with Chukhadzhian likely to be presented as the home fighter and likely itching for revenge, the two may be drawn into an even tougher fight than before that will challenge both fighters’ will and determination to either become a world champion, or remain as such.
