Trainer on David Avanesyan: After Jaron Ennis loss, ‘he’s got plenty left’

David Avanesyan is currently recovering from his unsuccessful bid last month to challenge for Jaron Ennis’ welterweight title, but when the 35-year-old Russian is rested up and ready to go again, his trainer, Carl Greaves, will be there to help him launch another attack on the 147-pound division. 

When Cody Crowley was ruled out of the fight with Ennis after failing a pre-fight eye examination, the former WBA and European titleholder leapt at the short-notice chance to step in and face the excellent unbeaten Philadelphian in his hometown. 

Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 KOs) is an aggressive fighter who earned respect for his typically determined approach. But he was dropped by Ennis in the fifth round, and when he returned to his corner with a badly swollen cheek, Greaves decided to pull his fighter out and save him for another day.

“David’s alright,” Greaves told BoxingScene. “He came back at the end of the fifth round, and I thought he either had a fractured eye socket or a broken jaw, or that something was quite seriously wrong. When he got X-rayed, he was all clear. That was good news.”

“It was always an uphill task with three weeks’ training and four weeks’ notice. When you watch it closely – and not just the highlights – he did really well. I’m very pleased with him.

“It was a great experience. I enjoyed it far more than the Omaha experience with [Terence] Crawford. They’re nice people. Boots’ dad is a very nice fella.”

Avanesyan may have lost, but his performance proved that he still has lots to offer. Avanesyan has been very easy to avoid throughout his career, but he may finally have plenty of options.

He could return to Britain and gatecrash an exciting welterweight scene that includes Paddy Donovan, Lewis Crocker and Conah Walker. He could get back on the European title trail and set about reclaiming the EBU belt he held with such distinction. Or he could go back to America and look to shock an up-and-coming prospect. Whichever way Avanesyan goes, Greaves will be in his corner and believes that his fighter still has what it takes to spring a surprise or two.

“A lot of people will be saying that David is done, but I know him more than anyone,” he said. “He lives the life. He’s never had a drink in his life. He trains nearly every day. He has to train – it’s part of his routine. I know he’s got plenty left after that performance. He was taking everything Ennis was offering. You look at some of those body shots and wonder how he was taking them, but he was. And the knockdown was a flash one. David landed the better shot, and as he pulled away he got caught bang on the chin.

“I know David better than anyone and know that he’s got plenty left. He’s definitely got one or two more good fights left in him.”