The rematch only the IBF wants – Jaron Ennis vs. Karen Chukhadzhian

Boxing rematches can be fun. The buildup is usually intriguing, but this is only if the first fight was good.

And close – perhaps decided by a razor-thin decision that everyone debates.

Think about the upcoming Oleksander Usyk – Tyson Fury rematch next month.

That battle between the two heavyweight titans last May was tight, with Fury winning the first half of the fight and Usyk the second. Usyk cemented his victory by scoring a knockdown in round nine.

Still, many disagreed. Fury boxed superbly for stages, tagging Usyk with an uppercut in round six that the Ukrainian’s family likely felt. The big man was doing well, utilizing his freakish skills, until he got caught. Then he was staggering – as Usyk unloaded on his noggin.

Scores were a debatable 115-112 for Usyk, 114-113 for Fury, and 114-113 for Usyk.

The sequel lands on December 21.

And then there’s the rematch nobody wants – this Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.

IBF welterweight titleholder Jaron Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) fights Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 23 KOs).

Ennis and Chukhadzhian fought last year, with Ennis winning all 12 rounds on the judges’ cards. Stats provided after the match showed Ennis outlanded Chukhadzhian 203 to 97.

Chukhadzhian showed toughness and a good chin – but not the ability to compete on the same level with the talented Ennis.

Strangely, the IBF repositioned Chukhadzhian as their mandatory challenger, forcing Ennis to fight the Armenian or lose his title.

Friends in high places.

“Vacating the belt wasn’t a thought in my mind,” Ennis told BoxingScene.com. “I was just staying in the gym, doing what I needed to do to get better. I wasn’t worried about what was going on in the outside. I let my team handle all of that. I want to stay busy and collect the rest of these belts.”

Ennis, nicknamed Boots, did everything but knockout Chukhadzhian last January.

He expects to get the stoppage this time.

“I’m going to put on a beautiful show by beating him up, breaking him down, having my fun, and getting my knockout at the end of the night,” said Ennis.

Chukhadzhian has won three fights in a row since losing to Ennis.

Boots is not worried.

“He doesn’t do anything that concerns me, “Ennis said.”It was more about myself on fight night when I fought him. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. It was never him. As long as I have my fun, everything will fall into place. The knockout comes when you don’t look for it.”

Ennis has been asking for a fight with a big name for a few years.

“I’ve been chasing Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jnr, Keith Thurman – I’ve been chasing all of these guys,” said Ennis. “Ask Crawford. Ask them.”

His focus right now is on Chukhadzhian.

“I’m not looking past him, said Ennis.” But after I do my thing and win in spectacular fashion, I want the rest of the welterweight belts, and to stay busy.”

Boots by KO.