[3] He fought a further seven times in 2016, scoring four consecutive stoppage wins over Luis Ramos in May;[4] Deshawn Debose in June;[5] Tavorus Teague in July;[6] and Matt Murphy in August.

[12] Ennis had a further seven fights in 2017, winning all seven by stoppage; Eduardo Flores in May;[13] Wilfredo Acuña[14] and Robert Hill in June;[15] Ricardo Cano in August;[16] Lionel Jiménez in September;[17] Ayi Bruce in October;[18] and George Sosa in December.

Despite the early action in the first round seemingly entailing another knockout victory for the Philly-native, an accidental clash of heads opened a terrible gash on the forehead of Van Heerden which made him bleed profusely.

Five months on and undisturbed by the No-Contest smearing his record, Ennis faced the former IBF light-welterweight champion Sergey "Samurai" Lipinets on 10 April 2021, at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.

However, Ennis' defensive acumen and proven-sturdy chin negated Lipinents' smattering offensive success and would counter the constantly pressuring Kazakh boxer more and more as the rounds went on.

[29] On 30 October 2021, at the Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, United States, Ennis took on Puerto Rican boxer Thomas "El Francés" Dulorme.

Ennis' six year knockout streak, bar the no-contest against Van Heerden, was broken when he was taken the distance for only the third time in his career by Chukhadzhian who proved himself to be sturdier than people gave him credit for.

And even with Villa's tight high-guard and forward pressure granting him moments of success, they were greatly eclipsed by Ennis' own offense that was gradually becoming more frequent and coming in longer combinations as the rounds went on.

And in the 10th round, Boots slumped the Colombian slugger on the ropes with a lead left-cross and right hook combination from the southpaw stance which prompted referee David Fields, who had already warned Villa's corner that he would stop the fight if Villa continued to not punch back properly against Boots' barrage of attacks back in the 9th round, to not even start a 10-count and immediately wave off the fight to declare Ennis the winner of their bout by knockout.