Jaron Ennis will defend his IBF welterweight title against Cody Crowley at the Wells Fargo Center

Jaron Ennis will stay home for the inaugural defense of his world title, giving South Philly its first title bout in more than 20 years.

Ennis (31-0, 28 knockouts) will defend his IBF welterweight title against Cody Crowley (22-0, nine KOs) on July 13 at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be the first title bout at the sports complex since Bernard Hopkins stopped Morrade Hakkar in March 2003 at the Spectrum. Boxing was king at the Spectrum in the 1970s but the Wells Fargo Center has hosted just two boxing cards since it opened in 1996.

» READ MORE: Philly’s Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis could be boxing’s next big star thanks to a family that molded him

Ennis, a 26-year-old from Germantown nicknamed “Boots,” became a world champion in November when Terence Crawford vacated the title and moved to 154 pounds. He is trained by his father and grew up in the gym around two older brothers who became professional boxers. All but one of his last 21 wins has come via stoppage as Ennis emerged as one of the sport’s top prospects before becoming champion.

“I can’t wait to show out and put on a beautiful, dominating, crushing performance in front of my family, friends and supporters while defending and retaining my IBF world title in spectacular fashion,” Ennis said. “I’m ready to step on any and everybody that’s in my way.”

Ennis has long eyed a bout with Crawford, one of boxing’s biggest stars, and hopes to score that bout later this year. Ennis signed last month with Matchroom Boxing, the British-based promotion company owned by boxing power broker Eddie Hearn, in hopes that he could be more active. This fight will be Ennis’ first in nearly a year, and Hearn plans to have Ennis fight at least once more this year. The promoter is hopeful he can align Ennis against Crawford.

“I am thrilled to be able to deliver a homecoming defense for Boots,” Hearn said. “Jaron is the next American star in boxing, and sports stars with all the tools he has should be headlining in their own city.

“This is just the beginning for Jaron in Philadelphia, a town that absolutely loves their sport, and in Jaron they can boast that their hometown hero is the best in the business. July 13 is going to be a massive night — we can’t wait to come back to Philadelphia for the first of many epic nights with Boots.”