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Boxing

David Avanesyan champions charity cause ahead of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis bout

DAZN
David Avanesyan champions charity cause ahead of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis boutAmanda Westcott/Matchroom
The world title challenger is aiming to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome in Philadelphia showdown.
David Avanesyan can become a two-time world ruler on Saturday night as he takes on IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, live worldwide on DAZN – and the Brit-based Armenian is helping with an even bigger fight for one of his biggest fans. 
 
Avanesyan’s kit for his showdown with the Philly star bears the logo of ‘Reverse Rett’, a charity dedicated to the search for a cure for the genetic disorder Rett Syndrome, a cause close to the 35-year-old’s heart with Georgia Wainwright, the daughter of David Wainwright who is the press officer for Carl Greaves Promotions, bravely fighting the condition.

Avanesyan knows he has his hands full with the IBF ruler, but if he can rip the crown from the champion, not only will he rip up the script for Ennis’ long overdue homecoming, but will look to publicize the vital work Reverse Rett do in researching the neurological disorder that most often strikes previously healthy little girls – to find out more about Rett Syndrome and donate, visit https://www.reverserett.org.uk.

“Georgia's Dad David and Carl spoke to me about wearing the Reverse Rett logo on my fight kit to help raise awareness for the charity,” said Avanesyan. “I told them I am more than happy to help raise awareness where I can for his beautiful daughter, my little friend Georgia.

“I think it's important in any sport not just to boxing to help raise awareness for great causes where we can,” said Greaves. “Everyone knows how proud I was to be asked to become an Ambassador for Reverse Rett and I will always do everything I can to help. Georgia is a real inspiration to anybody.
 
“What better way to help raise awareness for a great cause than when David takes on Jaron Ennis for his IBF world welterweight title with the whole world watching.”
 
“We can't thank David and Carl enough for this fantastic gesture helping to raise awareness for the condition on the biggest platform in sport, not just boxing on Saturday night and the great work the charity does trying to find a cure for this cruel condition,” said Georgia’s mum, Louise. “It really does mean the world to us all as a family especially Georgia.”
 
Avanesyan’s task on Saturday night is a lofty one, but having taken on the best in the game in the shape of Terence Crawford, the IBF challenger is confident in his assertion that this is a 50-50 fight and one that he can emerge with the belt.

“It’s a big opportunity for me, it’s the reason I fight, to be world champion,” said Avanesyan. 
 
“It’s been a short camp but this is boxing - my manager Neil Marsh called me and said that the fight was there and I didn’t have to think twice to take it. 
 
“Is he the best welterweight in the world? I need to fight him first to see that. There’s a lot of good fighters out there, so I am not sure. I haven’t seen a lot of him but of course I know about him, he’s been on my radar and people have been saying he’s a good fighter with power, he’s slippery, so now we’ll see. 
 
“Carl and I have a plan. I only think about winning, I will do everything I can to win, I’ll be giving my best. This is massive for me, my team and my family. I think that it’s come at a good time. 
 
“I’ve fought lots of great fighters, so this is nothing new. He’s a good fighter but I have boxed lots of strong opponents before and beaten them too.”

Ennis’ clash with Avanesyan is part of a stacked night of action in Philadelphia, where there’s more world title action as Skye Nicolson (10-0 1 KO) defends her WBC world featherweight crown for the first time against Dyana Vargas (18-1 12 KOs).

One of Matchroom’s latest signings Jalil Hackett (8-0 7 KOs) faces a real test in his first fight under Eddie Hearn’s guidance, taking on Peter Dobson (16-1 9 KOs) for the WBA Continental North America welterweight title and there’s also a first title fight for Khalil Coe (8-0-1 6 KOs) as he meets Kwame Ritter (11-1 9 KOs) for the USWBC light-heavyweight strap.

Christopher Diaz (28-4 18 KOs) takes on Derlyn Hernandez (12-1-1 10 KOs) over eight rounds at super-featherweight, Philadelphia duo Christian Carto (22-1 15 KOs) and Boots Promotions’ Ismail Muhammad (4-0 3 KOs) fight over eight rounds at super-bantamweight and six rounds at welterweight respectively against Carlos Buitrago (38-13-1 22 KOs) and Frank Brown (3-4-2 1 KO), while there’s a pro debut for another Philly native, as Dennis Thompson steps through the ropes in the paid ranks for the first time over four rounds at bantamweight against Fernando Valdez (1-7).