A three-fight bill is set for ShoBox: The New Generation on Showtime on July 20, with the card taking place in Sloan, Iowa.
In the main event, 20-year-old Jaron Ennis (20-0, 18 KO) will face 28-year-old Armando Alvarez (18-0, 12 KO) in a 10-round welterweight bout.
If Ennis’ last name is familiar, that’s because his brothers, Derek and Farah, have both been around the fight game for years, and have both boxed on ShoBox in the past. They’re a fighting Philly family, and Jaron may just be the best of the lot.
“This is the opportunity I have been waiting for,” Ennis said. “I can’t wait to show the world my talent. A win on this platform would mean everything. From here on out, I want to fight only the big names in the division. I feel grateful for this opportunity to show the world my talents and skills. It’s great to follow in my brother’s footsteps, and I am ready to take the Ennis last name to the next level.”
Alvarez, who is unbeaten himself, looks to derail any plans Ennis has to climb to stardom.
“This is the biggest opportunity I have ever received,” Alvarez said. “This is it. It’s on. Ennis is a great young fighter, but I think he has stepped out of his league. He is just a kid. The world will find out who Armando Alvarez is on July 20.”
The card will also feature a pair of eight-round bouts.
In the lightweight division, Thomas Mattice (12-0, 10 KO) will return to take on Zhora Hamazaryan (9-0, 6 KO). Mattice, 27, is a Cleveland native who has fought on ShoBox before, rallying to stop Rolando Chinea on February 2 of this year. The 22-year-old Hamazaryan is making his debut on the series.
“I am excited for the opportunity to showcase my talent again on ShoBox,” Mattice said. “I’m going to go out there and do what I did before. I’m going to get a win, hopefully in knockout fashion. This guy doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into.”
Hamazaryan is a former amateur standout for Armenia who turned pro in 2015 rather than going to the Olympics.
“This fight is very important for me, and I am very excited to be fighting on national television in America,” Hamazaryan said. “I know he is undefeated but I normally don’t look at my opponent. I’m just looking to put on a great performance and make a statement for fans in the U.S.”
The opener will be a junior welterweight bout between Montana Love (11-0, 5 KO) and Kenneth Sims Jr (12-1, 4 KO). Love also fought on the February 2 ShoBox card, stepping in against Samuel Teah on short notice and coming out with a win.
“I am excited and happy to be back,” Love said. “I want to put on another great performance. Sims and I grew up as amateurs together. He’s a good fighter, but I am hungry and want to keep rolling. I can’t let anything get in my way.”
Sims has also fought on ShoBox before, losing to Rolando Chinea in 2017, but says he’s had elbow surgery and is looking to get back on track.
“I am happy to be back fighting after having surgery on my elbow that had been bothering me for the last year and a half,” Sims said. “This is my chance to prove that I’m back and the loss on ShoBox was a fluke. I remember Love from the amateurs and I know I have what it takes to beat him.”