Jaron Ennis put Custio Clayton away with one punch in the second round Saturday in Carson, California.
Jaron Ennis continues to do his thing.
The welterweight contender stopped Custio Clayton at 2:49 of the second round of a scheduled 12-round bout on the Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano card Saturday in Carson, California.
Ennis landed a straight right above the ear, which put Clayton on his face. The Canadian was able to get up but was unsteady on his feet, which prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight.
Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) has stopped his last 19 opponents.
The fearsome Philadelphia fighter controlled the fight from the start with his jab, following with power shots only occasionally in the early going.
However, it was enough to get the attention of Clayton (19-1-1, 12 KOs), who did little except cover up. It was as if he knew something big was coming.
And then it came. Ennis jabbed twice and followed with a straight right as Clayton was lowering his head, which put him down and ended the fight.
Jaron Ennis put Custio Clayton away with one punch in the second round Saturday in Carson, California.
Jaron Ennis continues to do his thing.
The welterweight contender stopped Custio Clayton at 2:49 of the second round of a scheduled 12-round bout on the Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano card Saturday in Carson, California.
Ennis landed a straight right above the ear, which put Clayton on his face. The Canadian was able to get up but was unsteady on his feet, which prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight.
Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) has stopped his last 19 opponents.
The fearsome Philadelphia fighter controlled the fight from the start with his jab, following with power shots only occasionally in the early going.
However, it was enough to get the attention of Clayton (19-1-1, 12 KOs), who did little except cover up. It was as if he knew something big was coming.
And then it came. Ennis jabbed twice and followed with a straight right as Clayton was lowering his head, which put him down and ended the fight.
Jaron Ennis said ahead of his bout with Custio Clayton on Saturday: “I’m ready to take over (the welterweight) division.”
Jaron Ennis doesn’t hide his ambition. The gifted, powerful Philadelphian plans to become the top welterweight on the planet, whether or not he has to beat Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. to get there.
“Boots” must tend to some important business first, however. He faces unbeaten Custio Clayton on the Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II card Saturday in Carson, California (Showtime).
Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) understands that there is no room for slip-ups as he pursues his destiny.
“I’m looking to make a big statement come May 14,” he said. “I’m coming to win in dominating fashion and get the knockout. I’m ready to take over this division.”
He went on: “I’m feeling great. Camp has been going very well and I can’t wait to shine on May 14. I’m ready to rock and roll. We’ve been running a lot more sprints this camp and focusing a little more on conditioning each day, about a half an hour more every session.
“A lot of it are the normal things we do, like the underwater treadmill and chopping wood. We’re just working 10 times harder.”
Ennis had a big 2021, stopping durable Sergey Lipinets in six rounds in April and taking Thomas Dulorme down in less than two minutes in October.
He has knocked out 18 consecutive opponents, not counting a no-contest against Chris van Heerden in December 2020. And he said he expects to continue to improve.
“I feel like I’m getting better at taking my time and being more relaxed in the ring,” he said. “I believe that the better the competition I face, the better I’m going to be. We’ve been working on jabbing more and being even more alert and sharper.”
He plans to demonstrate his progress against Clayton (19-0-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday.
“This fight is everything to me,” he said. “This is a big stage and it’s time for me to shine. From here on out, it’s only getting bigger and better. After I do my thing on May 14, we’re just going to keep going up and up. I’m looking to show everyone everything that I’m capable of. My speed, power, defense, ring IQ and footwork.
“At the end of the night, I’m coming for the knockout. That’s what the fans are coming to see. I’m going to show them what I can do and close the show with a knockout.”
Then comes even bigger and better things.
Of course, no one knows how the 147-pound championship picture will look in the coming months. Spence and Crawford could end up fighting one another to unify all four titles. Ennis would then be a candidate to face the winner, although both Spence and Crawford have talked about moving up to 154.
Ennis’ mission is to be ready for whatever comes.
“It doesn’t matter to me if Spence and Crawford decide to stay in the division and face me,” he said. “I’d love to take the belts away from the champion, but if I have to fight for a vacant belt, I’ll see Spence and Crawford at 154 pounds. They can’t go too far.”
Jaron Ennis said ahead of his bout with Custio Clayton on Saturday: “I’m ready to take over (the welterweight) division.”
Jaron Ennis doesn’t hide his ambition. The gifted, powerful Philadelphian plans to become the top welterweight on the planet, whether or not he has to beat Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. to get there.
“Boots” must tend to some important business first, however. He faces unbeaten Custio Clayton on the Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II card Saturday in Carson, California (Showtime).
Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) understands that there is no room for slip-ups as he pursues his destiny.
“I’m looking to make a big statement come May 14,” he said. “I’m coming to win in dominating fashion and get the knockout. I’m ready to take over this division.”
He went on: “I’m feeling great. Camp has been going very well and I can’t wait to shine on May 14. I’m ready to rock and roll. We’ve been running a lot more sprints this camp and focusing a little more on conditioning each day, about a half an hour more every session.
“A lot of it are the normal things we do, like the underwater treadmill and chopping wood. We’re just working 10 times harder.”
Ennis had a big 2021, stopping durable Sergey Lipinets in six rounds in April and taking Thomas Dulorme down in less than two minutes in October.
He has knocked out 18 consecutive opponents, not counting a no-contest against Chris van Heerden in December 2020. And he said he expects to continue to improve.
“I feel like I’m getting better at taking my time and being more relaxed in the ring,” he said. “I believe that the better the competition I face, the better I’m going to be. We’ve been working on jabbing more and being even more alert and sharper.”
He plans to demonstrate his progress against Clayton (19-0-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday.
“This fight is everything to me,” he said. “This is a big stage and it’s time for me to shine. From here on out, it’s only getting bigger and better. After I do my thing on May 14, we’re just going to keep going up and up. I’m looking to show everyone everything that I’m capable of. My speed, power, defense, ring IQ and footwork.
“At the end of the night, I’m coming for the knockout. That’s what the fans are coming to see. I’m going to show them what I can do and close the show with a knockout.”
Then comes even bigger and better things.
Of course, no one knows how the 147-pound championship picture will look in the coming months. Spence and Crawford could end up fighting one another to unify all four titles. Ennis would then be a candidate to face the winner, although both Spence and Crawford have talked about moving up to 154.
Ennis’ mission is to be ready for whatever comes.
“It doesn’t matter to me if Spence and Crawford decide to stay in the division and face me,” he said. “I’d love to take the belts away from the champion, but if I have to fight for a vacant belt, I’ll see Spence and Crawford at 154 pounds. They can’t go too far.”
Sergey Lipinets and Custio Clayton fought to a majority draw in an “interim” welterweight title fight Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Sergey Lipinets and Custio Clayton had hoped to earn a welterweight title shot Saturday in Uncasville, Conn. Instead, they solved nothing in an interesting, but inclusive fight.
Lipinets and Clayton fought to a majority draw in what was billed as an IBF “interim” title fight meant to establish a mandatory challenger for the belt currently held by Errol Spence Jr., who defends against Danny Garcia on Dec. 5.
The fight was a contrast in styles. The plodding Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs) stalked Clayton (18-0-1, 12 KOs) from beginning to end, pounding his body whenever he was able to get close enough to him and never taking a backward step.
Clayton, a slick 2012 Olympian, fought behind a busy jab and landed more than enough power shots to stop Lipinets in his tracks at times. And the Canadian’s quick feet and quick thinking made it difficult for Lipinets to cut off the ring with any consistency.
The judges must’ve been asking themselves: Do we give Lipinets credit for his aggression and consistent body work? Or do we give Clayton the nod because of his sharp jab and eye-catching shots to the head?
In the end, they gave both fighters enough credit to land on a draw. Don Trella scored it 115-113 for Clayton, as did Boxing Junkie. Glenn Feldman and Tom Schreck both had it 114-114.
“I thought I won the fight, but Clayton is a good fighter,” Lipinets said. “He was stronger than I thought he’d be. I haven’t fought in a year and it shows. I need to get my rhythm back in a couple of fights before I face the top level fighters.”
Said Clayton: “At the end of the day, you can’t knock the judges’ decision, but I thought that I landed the cleaner shots and won. He came forward a lot, but he wasn’t landing as much.
“I probably could have pushed more a little earlier, but at the same time, I knew he was strong. I thought I stayed patient and poised. I could have put combinations together quicker, but overall I thought I fought a smart fight and pulled it off.”
It’s no surprise that neither fighter was satisfied with the decision. Again, they hoped to take a significant step in their careers and thought they did. At the same time, neither lost ground.
Lipinets, a former 140-pound titleholder, maintained his position as a legitimate 147-pound contender. He’ll get another opportunity against an elite opponent.
Clayton probably accomplished a little more. He had never fought anyone of Lipinets’ stature even though he’s a 33-year-old contender. He left no doubt on Friday that he can compete at the elite level. He too will be heard from again.
Maybe they’ll just have to do it again.
“I showed the world that I’m not just a guy from Canada,” Clayton said. “I proved I’m a good fighter. People will have to respect me a little bit more. If Lipinets wants the rematch for the interim title, we should be able to make that happen.”
“For the interim title, I’ll be ready for a rematch with Clayton.”
Sergey Lipinets and Custio Clayton fought to a majority draw in an “interim” welterweight title fight Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Sergey Lipinets and Custio Clayton had hoped to earn a welterweight title shot Saturday in Uncasville, Conn. Instead, they solved nothing in an interesting, but inclusive fight.
Lipinets and Clayton fought to a majority draw in what was billed as an IBF “interim” title fight meant to establish a mandatory challenger for the belt currently held by Errol Spence Jr., who defends against Danny Garcia on Dec. 5.
The fight was a contrast in styles. The plodding Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs) stalked Clayton (18-0-1, 12 KOs) from beginning to end, pounding his body whenever he was able to get close enough to him and never taking a backward step.
Clayton, a slick 2012 Olympian, fought behind a busy jab and landed more than enough power shots to stop Lipinets in his tracks at times. And the Canadian’s quick feet and quick thinking made it difficult for Lipinets to cut off the ring with any consistency.
The judges must’ve been asking themselves: Do we give Lipinets credit for his aggression and consistent body work? Or do we give Clayton the nod because of his sharp jab and eye-catching shots to the head?
In the end, they gave both fighters enough credit to land on a draw. Don Trella scored it 115-113 for Clayton, as did Boxing Junkie. Glenn Feldman and Tom Schreck both had it 114-114.
“I thought I won the fight, but Clayton is a good fighter,” Lipinets said. “He was stronger than I thought he’d be. I haven’t fought in a year and it shows. I need to get my rhythm back in a couple of fights before I face the top level fighters.”
Said Clayton: “At the end of the day, you can’t knock the judges’ decision, but I thought that I landed the cleaner shots and won. He came forward a lot, but he wasn’t landing as much.
“I probably could have pushed more a little earlier, but at the same time, I knew he was strong. I thought I stayed patient and poised. I could have put combinations together quicker, but overall I thought I fought a smart fight and pulled it off.”
It’s no surprise that neither fighter was satisfied with the decision. Again, they hoped to take a significant step in their careers and thought they did. At the same time, neither lost ground.
Lipinets, a former 140-pound titleholder, maintained his position as a legitimate 147-pound contender. He’ll get another opportunity against an elite opponent.
Clayton probably accomplished a little more. He had never fought anyone of Lipinets’ stature even though he’s a 33-year-old contender. He left no doubt on Friday that he can compete at the elite level. He too will be heard from again.
Maybe they’ll just have to do it again.
“I showed the world that I’m not just a guy from Canada,” Clayton said. “I proved I’m a good fighter. People will have to respect me a little bit more. If Lipinets wants the rematch for the interim title, we should be able to make that happen.”
“For the interim title, I’ll be ready for a rematch with Clayton.”
Sergey Lipinets looks forward to facing one of the top welterweights but must get past Custio Clayton on Friday first.
Sergey Lipinets believes he’s as good as the top welterweights in the world.
And so far things have gone well at 147 pounds for the former 140-pound champ: Three welterweight fights, three victories since he lost his title to Mikey Garcia by a unanimous decision in March 2018.
Next up: Undefeated former Olympian Custio Clayton on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
No. 1-ranked Kudratillo Abjukakhorov, an Uzbek who lives in Malaysia, was scheduled to fight Lipinets but had to pull out because of visa issues. Clayton replaced him about a week ago.
The bout is being billed as an IBF “interim” title fight, meaning the winner will be in position to challenge champion Errol Spence Jr. if he gets past Danny Garcia on Dec. 5. Lipinets is ranked No. 3, Clayton No. 5.
That’s what Lipinets is after, a chance to prove he belongs among the elite.
“I don’t look past Clayton,” he said. “I have to win that fight and I’m 100 percent focused on him. But I do believe that I belong on the level with Errol Spence Jr. and the other elite welterweights. I think I’ve shown that my whole career.
“Before I can look at a fight against Spence or Danny Garcia, I have to win on Saturday.”
Sergey Lipinets (left) and Custio Clayton will meet Saturday for an “interim” welterweight title. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Clayton (18-0, 12 KOs) is no pushover. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 Olympics for his native Canada and has not been seriously challenged as a pro.
The downside for Clayton might be his lack of experience in big professional fights. He has never faced a fighter at Lipinets’ level and has never fought outside Canada, which is unusual for a 33-year-old contender.
Lipinets (16-1, 12 KOs) has shown Clayton nothing but respect.
“Clayton is definitely a great fighter,” he said. “He was an Olympian, which says a lot in itself. He’s shown in the pros that he can punch well, so we know he’s dangerous. We both come forward and try to fight. It’s going to be a very entertaining fight.”
Lipinets, a Los Angeles-based native of Kazakhstan, said he and trainer Joe Goossen easily adjusted to the change of opponents.
“We stayed in the gym the whole time,” he said. “Joe Goossen kept us working every day of the week. We were actually getting ready for several possible opponents at once. Everything really went as planned.
“Clayton’s name was thrown out probably a month ago as a possibility. Joe took care of studying him initially. About a week ago we got everything solidified, but we had already worked with sparring partners to prepare for someone like Clayton.
“It was really all about Joe putting pieces together for my style no matter who we were going to face. People might not think it, but I can box and move around the ring well. Joe has added elements to it that made it a more fluid style.”
Clayton is thrilled the have the opportunity. And he says he’s ready.
“The truth is that I’ve been preparing for the possibility of this fight for four or five weeks,” he said. “I’m not underprepared whatsoever. I was ready to fight when I got the call. How do you say no to a fight like this? I have had a great camp and I feel confident and ready for Saturday night.
“I think this is a very good matchup. Lipinets is a very good fighter. He’s a former world champion and from what I’ve seen he always comes to fight. Most people look at me as an aggressive fighter as well. I always like to bang, but I think you are going to see a different side to me.
“People who know me know that I’m very low-key and laid back, so not much gets to me, but this is a very, very big opportunity and I’m thankful for it. I’m not the type to jump in excitement but I am definitely very happy that I got the call for this fight. Now we are focused on preparing for Lipinets.”
Clayton, a native of Nova Scotia who fights out of Ottawa. is known as a good boxer who can also punch, but he believes it’s the former that will be the key for him on Saturday.
“I think my boxing ability is going to be the biggest factor in this fight,” he said. “It’s just that nobody has seen it yet. That will be the big key. People don’t understand how smart I am. I don’t look at the size. I’m prepared for whatever.”
“I think a win would do a lot for the reputation of Canadian boxers. It will show that we do have some fighters that when they get the opportunity, can take advantage of it. We have a couple fighters like Jean Pascal and hopefully that I can show I can be another one.
“All the hard work I did back in Nova Scotia, it shows that people can take different routes to chase their dreams. A win would mean a lot to me and to Novia Scotia.”
