Rising Philly boxer Jaron Ennis gets his chance against a top 10 welterweight contender

Ennis will be featured in the main event fight on Showtime for the first time in his career on April 10 against Sergey Lipinets.

Jaron Ennis (left) has a chance to solidify his name in the top 10 welterweight conversation on April 10.Read moreDarryl Cobb Jr. / Victory Boxing Promotions

by Damichael Cole

Published March 17, 2021, 4:26 p.m. ET

Jaron Ennis pointed to 2021 two years ago as his year. He has a chance to make a strong statement next month in that quest.

Showtime Boxing announced that the rising Philly welterweight will fight Sergey Lipinets on April 10 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs) has heard plenty of talk about the quality of his opponents. Bakhtiyar Eyubov and Juan Carlos Abreu, were considered tough opponents, but he stopped them both with TKOs.

Chris van Heerden was a step up in class in December. Ennis, 23, dominated the first round before the fight was ruled a no decision after he and van Heerden clashed heads.

None of those fighters compare to Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs). He’s a former IBF light-welterweight champion whose only loss was to Mikey Garcia. Lipinets is widely regarded as one of the top 10 welterweights in the world.

“This is the type of fight I’ve been waiting for,” Ennis said in a statement. “I can’t wait to perform and put on a beautiful show. Y’all will see something special out of me come fight night. I’m excited to be the main event. It’s time for me to shine!”

If 2021 is Ennis’ year, it will be because he put on a show against Lipinets. A win over Lipinets would solidify Boots’ legitimacy as a top 10 welterweight, and his name will populate more in the top contender category.

Lipinets’ only loss came against an elite welterweight. His most recent match was a draw against Custio Clayton. One of his most notable wins was a 10th-round TKO over former two-division champion Lamont Peterson in 2019.

“We have a tough, young fighter in Ennis who thinks I’m a stepping stone for him,” Lipinets said in a statement. “But sometimes stepping stones trip you up, and I’ll be doing my best to trip him up on April 10.”