Ennis Annihilates Lima in Junior Middleweight Debut, Sets Sights on Ortiz Jr.

Philadelphia, PA – Jaron “Boots” Ennis delivered a brutal introduction to the junior middleweight division, demolishing Uisma Lima in a first-round technical knockout at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night. The victory, witnessed by a raucous hometown crowd, marked Ennis’s first foray into the 154-pound ranks and sent a clear message to the division’s established contenders.

Ennis, now boasting a record of 35-0 with 31 knockouts, relinquished his unified welterweight title to pursue opportunities at a higher weight class. Lima, a native of Angola residing in Portugal, entered the bout with a record of 14-1 and 10 knockouts. While boasting a reputation as a dangerous puncher and a history of disrupting undefeated records, Lima proved to be no match for Ennis’s speed, power, and overall skillset.

The fight began cautiously, with Ennis initially adopting an orthodox stance. However, the 28-year-old quickly switched to southpaw, a move that immediately disrupted Lima’s rhythm. Midway through the opening round, Ennis landed a sharp right uppercut that visibly wobbled the 32-year-old Lima. Sensing an opportunity, Ennis unleashed a barrage of punches, culminating in a clean two-punch combination that sent Lima crashing to the canvas for the first knockdown.

Lima rose to his feet, but the respite was brief. Ennis, exhibiting relentless aggression, swarmed his opponent, landing a series of powerful blows that forced Lima to take another knee. The second knockdown prompted referee Shawn Clark to take a closer look, and after Lima absorbed several more unanswered punches while trapped against the ropes, Clark stepped in to halt the contest at the 1:58 mark of the first round.

"I sent a big message," Ennis stated after the fight. "You already know what time it is and you know who I want next."

The victory followed Ennis’s impressive unification bout in April, where he stopped the previously undefeated Eimantas Stanionis to claim the IBF welterweight title. However, the challenges of making the 147-pound limit had become increasingly difficult, prompting the move to 154.

“Until 154, this guy has been fighting at 60 or 70 percent of his capacity,” stated Eddie Hearn, Ennis’s promoter from Matchroom Sport. “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 didn’t mince words when discussing a potential future matchup with Vergil Ortiz Jr., another highly regarded undefeated prospect. “Line them up and he will knock them out,” Hearn said. “Vergil Ortiz will get destroyed by Jaron Ennis. I will bet the house on it with [Ortiz promoter] Oscar De La Hoya. 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 win positions Ennis for a potential showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs), provided Ortiz emerges victorious in his upcoming fight against Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) in November. Ortiz, who has faced periods of inactivity due to health concerns, represents a significant step up in competition for Ennis, and a victory would solidify his status as a major player in the junior middleweight division.

Lima, who had previously built a solid record fighting primarily in Europe, struggled to cope with Ennis’s superior speed and power. The Angolan native, known for his aggressive style and knockout power, was unable to impose his will on Ennis, finding himself overwhelmed by the American’s relentless attack.

Ennis attributed his success to his team’s strategy and his own improved physical condition. "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. "So, I touched the hook to the body and tried to come up top a little bit, and that was the first knockdown."

He added, "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."

Ennis also addressed criticism he received for choosing Lima as his opponent for his 154-pound debut. "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."

Looking ahead, Ennis made it clear that he intends to challenge the best fighters in the division. "[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. 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. Xander [Zayas] can get it. I’m belt chasing, this is my division. 154 is mine, I’m on tour."

Jermell Charlo, a former unified junior middleweight champion, recently vacated his WBO title and has been linked to a potential move to super middleweight. However, a fight against Ennis could be a lucrative option for Charlo if he chooses to remain at 154. Sebastian Fundora, the current WBC junior middleweight champion, is known for his height and unorthodox style, while Bahkram Murtazaliev is the IBF mandatory challenger. Xander Zayas, a rising prospect, is still relatively early in his career but could represent a future opponent for Ennis.

The junior middleweight division is currently populated with talented fighters, making Ennis’s arrival a welcome addition to the mix. The potential for exciting matchups against Ortiz, Charlo, Fundora, and others promises to keep boxing fans entertained for years to come. Ennis’s combination of speed, power, and charisma, coupled with his willingness to face the best, positions him as a potential superstar in the sport. His performance against Lima served as a resounding statement that he is ready to take on all comers in his quest to conquer the 154-pound division. The boxing world now awaits his next move with considerable anticipation.