Jaron "Boots" Ennis will defend his welterweight title against Cody Crowley at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 13, Matchroom Boxing announced Thursday.
 
In his first bout as a full titleholder, Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) will return to his hometown to fight for the first time since November 2018. Ennis, 26, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, will have been out of the ring for a year by the time he faces Crowley, having most recently dispatched Roiman Villa by 10th-round KO in Atlantic City, New Jersey last July. In that fight, Ennis successfully defended his interim title before being elevated to full champion.

“I’m excited for my homecoming, especially being the first to fight at the Wells Fargo Center, the biggest arena in Philly,” Ennis said. “I can’t wait to show out and put on a beautiful, dominating, crushing performance in front of my family, friends and supporters while defending and retaining my IBF world title in spectacular fashion. I’m ready to step on any and everybody that’s in my way!”

Crowley (22-0 9 KOs), a 31-year-old, Las Vegas-based Canadian, will be getting his first shot at a world title against Ennis, returning to action following a win over Abel Ramos in Las Vegas in March 2023.
 
“Ten years ago, I arrived in Las Vegas with a dream of becoming world champion, unbroken by the sport,” Crowley said. “The only thing left to do is prove to the world in the City of Brotherly Love that I am an undefeated champion, my spirit is unbeatable and I will fight for those who are too scared to fight.
 
“I will become the greatest in the world for my dad – who I love and miss dearly – my home country of Canada and for world peace, so that others do not have to endure the same suffering. There is nothing anyone can do to break me. There is nothing I am not ready for. This next chapter is already written.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has made it clear since signing Ennis in April that he would make a priority of staging more of his fights in Philadelphia to build and benefit from the fighter's local following.  

“I am thrilled to be able to deliver a homecoming defense for Boots,” Hearn said. “Jaron is the next American star in boxing, and sports stars with all the tools he has should be headlining in their own city. 
 
“This is just the beginning for Jaron in Philadelphia, a town that absolutely loves their sport, and in Jaron they can boast that their hometown hero is the best in the business. July 13 is going to be a massive night; we can’t wait to come back to Philadelphia for the first of many epic nights with Boots.”

Ennis-Crowley will stream live on DAZN.