Ahead of their bill-topping appearances in Philadelphia on Saturday, “Boots” and “Bam” have been speaking of their mutual appreciation.

Jaron “Boots’ Ennis will be the nominal main event, fighting in front of his own fans at the Wells Fargo Center, defending his IBF welterweight title against Karen Chukhadzhian, a man he has already comfortably beaten but who he has been mandated to fight once more.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez will be defending his WBC junior bantamweight title against Pedro Guevara. 

Ennis, 32-0 (29 KOs), It’s crazy to have someone like Bam on the card,” said Ennis. “He’s No. 7 on the pound-for-pound list, it’s going to be fireworks, the whole card is great from top to bottom. You’ve got two of my fighters on there in Dennis Thompson and Ishmael Muhammad, there’s Ray Ford, Khalil Coe, it’s crazy and it’s one not to be missed, it’s explosive.

“Bam and I can go as far as we want to take it. I think I can go up to 168lbs, Bam, he’s already been going up and down from 112 to 118, so he can go to 126 and do his thing there to. We’re going to take this as far as we want, we just have to stay focused and keep doing our thing.

“We were in the Olympic training center together in 2016, the year before I turned pro. He was there doing his thing, and he’s always been nice since we were younger, and I can’t wait for us to show out on Saturday.”

Rodriguez was equally complimentary of Ennis.

“Boots Ennis is a star here in Philadelphia, and in boxing too,” said Rodriguez. “I saw the crowd for his last fight so to be a part of that and get more exposure on the East Coast, that’s why it makes sense to me. To share a card with a great fighter like Jaron is good for both of us. I like the Two Kings, it’s badass, and I really feel that’s how it is, so it makes sense.

“From what I see on Instagram, Boots works his ass off, and that’s something I do as well. We have that in common and inside the ring we both have good agility, good footwork, good IQ, so I think we’ve got a lot in common.”

Also on the bill, Raymond Ford returns at junior lightweight against Orlando Gonzalez, light-heavyweight Khalil “Big Steppa” Coe takes on Manuel Gallegos, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado makes his Matchroom debut against Jesus Saracho over 10 rounds at junior welterweight while Austin Williams returns to the ring over eight rounds at 160lbs against Gian Garrido. Boots Promotions duo Dennis Thompson and Ismail Muhammad return, and there’s a debut on the card for the hotly-touted Zaquin Moses, the cousin of pound-for-pound superstar Shakur Stevenson, stepping through the ropes for the first time over four rounds at junior lightweight.