Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan: Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan: Picking the winners

This weekend, Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan serves as a marquee boxing match, taking place on July 13. The two men will compete for Ennis' IBF welterweight title in a bout that many expect to be a washout in the defending champion's favor. But is there any truth to that?

Elsewhere, another welterweight clash in Jalil Hackett vs. Peter Dobson is also scheduled to feature on the event card. Light heavyweights Khalil Coe and Manuel Gallegos also lock horns this Saturday. Other bouts include a return to championship action.

Skye Nicolson defends her WBC women's featherweight championship against Dyana Vargas. With so many matchups, it's only natural for questions for boxing predictions to arise.

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#1. IBF welterweight title: Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan

Jaron Ennis is often regarded as one of the highest-potential fighters in the boxing world. While he has yet to prove himself against truly elite competition, he is often said to pass the eye test used to evaluate a boxer's cosmetic skill set. He is flashy and technical, and there is substance to back up his style.

An apt stance-switcher who is comfortable standing in the line of fire, the defending IBF welterweight champion operates behind a sharp and varied jab that serves as the foundation for much of what he does. Whether he's simply touching his opponent with the jab to draw a counter or more, it is effective.

Ennis often fakes the jab or does not commit his weight behind it to enable an easy pull-back. He flicks his jab out to draw a counter from his foe, only to either slip or pull back and throw a right hand over the top as a counter to his foe's counter. He also alternates his jab's target from the head to the body.

By consistently digging his jab into his opponent's body, Ennis forces their hands low. The next time he level changes, his opponent drops their hands in anticipation to either parry or block his body jab. Once that reaction is burned into them, he fakes the level change and uncorks a more powerful punch over the top.

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Furthermore, Ennis is fast, powerful, and blessed with a granite chin. Such is his skill that he was linked to a potential bout with the controversial Ryan Garcia at one point. Unfortunately, he isn't flawless, having shown an inability to cut off the ring, which causes him to struggle against a mobile foe with a sniping jab.

While his opponent, David Avanesyan, isn't exactly a mobile fighter known for his slick lateral footwork, he can pose certain problems for Ennis. First, Ennis' jab, while sharp, can expose his chin, as he doesn't retract it back into his guard. Instead, Ennis pulls his jabbing hand back low.

This leaves his chin unprotected, which he only shields with his speed and agility, being able to pivot out of the way of a possible counter. He also has a poor habit of leaving his head on the center line when he throws his right cross, which also causes his rear hand to drop afterward.

These openings won't serve him well against an aggressive counterpuncher like Avanesyan, who operates behind a high guard to stand right in his opponent's face. Ennis will certainly try to land a hook around Avanesyan's high guard or split it down the middle with a jab.

However, Avanesyan often preys on this reaction, slipping on the inside of jabs to land a hard counter of his own. Given how often Ennis' chin is left unprotected right after he jabs, it could be costly. Furthermore, Avanesyan incorporates level changes into his repertoire, often trying to draw his opponent's defenses low.

In doing so, he could take advantage of Ennis' instinct for parrying body shots, especially given that Ennis doesn't pull back after parrying to create distance. This renders him susceptible to leaping hooks, which Advanesyan is known to throw after his level changes.

While Avanesyan won't be as easy an opponent for Ennis to conquer as some expect, he should still lose to the more skilled, more athletic fighter.

The Prediction: Jaron Ennis via 8th round TKO

#2. The other championship fights on the Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan card

The other bouts on the Jaron Ennis vs. David Avanesyan card feature more championship action. Undefeated knockout artist Jalil Hackett takes on the more experienced Peter Dobson for the vacant WBA Continental Americas welterweight title.

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Hackett is powerful, but a work in progress with a not-yet refined skill-set. Meanwhile, Dobson is highly durable and dangerous himself. However, there is a distinct lack of momentum for Dobson, despite his edge in experience, having double the fights Hackett does.

Dobson is currently on a crushing losing streak consisting of seven exhibition boxing losses and one professional boxing loss. He is desperately looking for a win, and the lack of momentum might negatively impact him.

The Prediction: Jalil Hackett via unanimous decision

Elsewhere on the card is women's boxing star Skye Nicolson, who defends her WBC female featherweight title against Dyana Vargas. The matchup is a clash of styles, with Nicolson being mobile and quick, and Vargas being the more powerful and experienced fighter.

While Nicolson has good movement and fast hands, she has poor punching mechanics, similar to former boxing champion Holly Holm. She rarely throws straight punches and when she does, they're largely ineffective due to how often she telegraphs them.

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Meanwhile, her hooks lack any stopping power and kinetic chaining. She also has a regrettable habit of not moving her head off the center line. Vargas, conversely, is very powerful and more experienced, but won't have the time to find openings for her knockouts with two-minute rounds.

The Prediction: Skye Nicolson via majority decision

The final championship bout on the evening is Khalil Coe vs. Manuel Gallegos for the vacant WBC USA light heavyweight title. While undefeated and young, Coe will have a lack of experience compared to Gallegos, who appears to be the more powerful fighter.

The bout is a tossup, but Gallegos should be expected to win.