Jaron "Boots" Ennis Annihilates Uisma Lima in Junior Middleweight Arrival.

Philadelphia — Jaron "Boots" Ennis delivered a brutal and decisive message to the junior middleweight division on Saturday night, demolishing Uisma Lima of Portugal with a first-round technical knockout in his highly anticipated 154-pound debut. The fight, which took place before a raucous crowd at the Wells Fargo Center in Ennis’s hometown, ended abruptly at 1:58 of the opening round, leaving little doubt about Ennis’s intentions in his new weight class.

Ennis, now 35-0 with 31 knockouts, entered the ring a former unified welterweight champion, eager to prove that his power and skill would translate seamlessly to the 154-pound division. Lima, a 32-year-old Angolan native with a record of 14-1 and 10 knockouts, was touted as a dangerous southpaw capable of upsetting the unbeaten records of his opponents. However, the gulf in experience and athleticism between the two fighters was immediately apparent.

From the opening bell, Ennis displayed the speed and agility that have made him one of boxing’s most exciting prospects. He began the fight in an orthodox stance, probing Lima with his jab and assessing his opponent’s reactions. Midway through the round, Ennis switched to a southpaw stance, a move that appeared to unsettle Lima.

"I just listened to my team to stay behind the jab and stay relaxed, but I peeped [Lima] started jumping around a little bit," Ennis said after the fight.

The switch proved to be a pivotal moment. Ennis quickly found his range and unleashed a devastating right uppercut that visibly wobbled Lima. Seizing the opportunity, Ennis launched a relentless assault, culminating in a clean two-punch combination that sent Lima crashing to the canvas for the first knockdown.

Lima rose to his feet, but he was clearly shaken. Ennis, sensing the finish, swarmed his opponent, landing a barrage of punches that forced Lima to take another knee. The referee, Shawn Clark, took a close look at Lima and allowed the fight to continue, but it was only a matter of seconds before Ennis closed the show.

Still fighting as a southpaw, Ennis cornered Lima and unleashed a thunderous left uppercut that snapped Lima’s head back and prompted referee Clark to step in and halt the contest at 1:58 of the round.

The victory marked Ennis’s first appearance since his impressive stoppage of Eimantas Stanionis in April, a unification bout at 147 pounds. Ennis had long struggled to make the welterweight limit, and his move to 154 pounds was seen as a natural progression that would allow him to compete at his full potential.

"Until 154, this guy has been fighting at 60 or 70 percent of his capacity," said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, Ennis’s promoter. "I’m telling you now, he’s 28 years of age, this is the future of the sport of boxing. This is the pound-for-pound No. 1 in waiting. There is nobody at 154, 160 or dare I say 168 who can beat this guy. We are coming for everybody."

Hearn’s bold pronouncements underscore the high expectations surrounding Ennis, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and exciting fighters in the sport. His combination of speed, power, and ring IQ has drawn comparisons to some of boxing’s all-time greats.

The victory over Lima has fueled speculation about Ennis’s next opponent, with a potential showdown against Vergil Ortiz Jr. looming large. Ortiz, 23-0 with 21 knockouts, is another highly touted prospect in the junior middleweight division, and a fight between him and Ennis would be a major event.

Ortiz is scheduled to face Erickson Lubin in November, and Ennis made it clear that he is eager to face the winner. "The [Ortiz fight] is going to happen next," Ennis said. "I know he has his fight coming up and is focused on his fight. If you don’t win, I’ll fight Lubin, but I want Vergil Ortiz next."

Ennis also expressed interest in facing other top fighters in the division, including Jermell Charlo, Sebastian Fundora, and Bahkram Murtazaliev. "[If] we can’t get Vergil Ortiz next, I heard that baby cub [Jermell] Charlo was calling me out, too. He could get it next. [Sebastian] Fundora, Bahkram [Murtazaliev], he can get it," Ennis stated, signaling his readiness to challenge all the reigning titleholders at 154 pounds. He also mentioned Xander Zayas as a potential future opponent. "Xander [Zayas] can get it," he added.

The junior middleweight division is currently populated by a number of talented and dangerous fighters, making it one of the most competitive weight classes in boxing. Charlo, the undisputed champion, has been sidelined with injuries but is expected to return to the ring in the near future. Fundora is a tall and awkward southpaw who has given many opponents problems, while Murtazaliev is a tough and experienced veteran.

Ennis’s arrival in the division has added another layer of intrigue to the already compelling mix. His explosive style and undeniable talent make him a threat to anyone in the weight class.

"I did what I had to do. I’m here at 154 and made a statement. Let’s bring them names, bring them," Ennis said. "I feel like the more I go up [in weight], the stronger I am going to get. I was fighting at 147 for my whole professional career. It was time to go."

While some critics questioned Ennis’s choice of Lima as his opponent for his 154-pound debut, arguing that he should have faced a more established name, Ennis silenced those doubts with his dominant performance. He proved that he is ready to take on the best the division has to offer.

"I think [Lima] was trying to be smart and not fight like how he usually fights because he didn’t want to get caught early … but I felt way different. Even fight week, I felt phenomenal. I felt rejuvenated and excited," Ennis explained, highlighting the positive impact of moving up in weight.

Ennis’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was even more emphatic in his assessment of Ennis’s potential. "Vergil Ortiz will get destroyed by Jaron Ennis. I will bet the house on it with [Ortiz promoter] Oscar De La Hoya," Hearn declared. "It’s the best fight in boxing in America. It’s a beautiful fight. [Ortiz] is a great fighter, but I’m telling you, [Ennis] is another level."

The stage is now set for what could be a defining chapter in Jaron "Boots" Ennis’s career. As he embarks on his journey in the junior middleweight division, he carries with him the hopes and expectations of a city, and the undeniable aura of a future world champion. Whether his next fight is against Ortiz, Charlo, or another top contender, one thing is clear: Jaron Ennis has arrived, and he is ready to conquer.

"I’m belt chasing, this is my division. 154 is mine, I’m on tour," Ennis concluded, a confident declaration that echoed through the Wells Fargo Center and reverberated throughout the boxing world.