Karen Chukhadzhian is convinced that he will deliver the first big upset of the new year.
The streaking welterweight contender from Karlsruhe, Germany by way of Kiev, Ukraine is a massive underdog heading into his interim IBF title fight with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. It hasn’t at all dampened his enthusiasm, however, as he prepares for the dangerous assignment which will mark his U.S. debut.
“I’m not going to the U.S. just for a paycheck,” Chukhadzhian told a small group of reporters during a recent Zoom media conference call to discuss the bout. “I’m coming to give a great fight.”
For now, Ennis-Chukhadzian is scheduled to serve as the co-main event of a January 7 Showtime Pay-Per-View event from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The status could change for the better, depending on whether the currently scheduled Gervonta Davis-Hector Luis Garcia main event remains intact given Davis’ recent legal troubles.
Wherever it lands on the card, Ennis (29-0, 27KOs) is expected to deliver a showcase performance. The rising welterweight contender is a whopping -5000 favorite to prevail, according to bet365 sportsbook.
The same site lists Chukhadzhian (21-1, 11KOs) as a +1400 underdog for his first career stateside fight, having faced standard fare European-level opposition through 22 pro fights in Ukraine, Russia and Germany. He will enter the fight riding a 20-fight win streak since his lone career defeat in his second pro contest. The 26-year-old has stopped each of his last three opponents, including a sixth-round stoppage of Australia’s Blake Minto last July in Erding, Germany.
He has every intention of at least making it 21 wins in a row, delivering the type of performance that will create high demand for more U.S. appearances.
“I want everyone to be satisfied with my performance,” acknowledged Chuhkadzhian. “We do this for the public. I planned to deliver a big surprise.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
