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

Philadelphia, PA – Jaron "Boots" Ennis emphatically announced his arrival in the junior middleweight division on Saturday night, dismantling Uisma Lima with a first-round technical knockout in front of a raucous crowd at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The victory, Ennis’ first since unifying the IBF, IBO, and WBC interim welterweight titles in April, positions him for a potential showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr., pending Ortiz’s upcoming bout against Erickson Lubin.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), previously a dominant force at 147 pounds, exhibited a newfound power and explosiveness at the 154-pound limit, overwhelming Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) from the opening bell. The previously undefeated Lima, a native of Angola residing in Portugal, entered the contest with a reputation as a dangerous puncher, having halted the unbeaten streaks of several opponents. However, the disparity in experience and athleticism proved insurmountable against Ennis, who appeared revitalized after years of struggling to make the welterweight limit.

The fight commenced with Ennis adopting an orthodox stance, probing Lima with his jab and assessing his opponent’s movement. Midway through the round, Ennis seamlessly transitioned to a southpaw stance, immediately disrupting Lima’s rhythm. A sharp, lead right uppercut from the southpaw stance visibly staggered Lima, prompting Ennis to unleash a relentless assault. A precise two-punch combination sent Lima crashing to the canvas for the first knockdown.

"I just listened to my team, stayed behind the jab, and stayed relaxed," Ennis said following the victory. "I noticed [Lima] started jumping around a little bit, so I touched the hook to the body and tried to come up top a little bit, and that was the first knockdown."

The knockdown seemed to embolden Ennis, who pressed forward with increased aggression. A flurry of punches, delivered with blistering speed and power, resulted in a second knockdown shortly thereafter. Lima, visibly shaken and struggling to regain his composure, rose to his feet but was clearly in distress.

Ennis, maintaining his southpaw stance, cornered Lima against the ropes and unleashed a devastating left uppercut that snapped Lima’s head back, prompting referee Shawn Clark to intervene and stop the fight at 1:58 of the first round.

The victory marked a significant statement for Ennis, who has long been considered one of boxing’s brightest young stars. Moving up in weight was considered to unlock his full potential.

"I did what I had to do. I’m here at 154 and made a statement. Let’s bring them names, bring them," Ennis declared. "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’ promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the fighter’s enhanced capabilities at the higher weight class. "Until 154, this guy has been fighting at 60 or 70 percent of his capacity," Hearn stated. "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 also specifically addressed the potential matchup with Vergil Ortiz Jr., asserting Ennis’ dominance in the potential clash. "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 boxing community has been clamoring for a fight between Ennis and Ortiz Jr. for some time, given both fighters’ undefeated records and aggressive styles. Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) is scheduled to face Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) in November, a fight that will likely determine the next opponent for Ennis.

While some have criticized Ennis for choosing Lima as his opponent for his junior middleweight debut, arguing that he should have faced a more established name, Ennis dismissed those concerns, emphasizing his readiness to face any of the division’s top contenders.

"[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."

Ennis’s ambitions extend beyond Ortiz Jr., as he expressed interest in unifying the junior middleweight titles, currently held by Jermell Charlo (WBC), Sebastian Fundora (WBO), and Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF). Charlo, who has been inactive due to injuries and personal issues, has recently hinted at a potential return to the ring, potentially setting up a future clash with Ennis.

The victory over Lima showcased Ennis’s potential at 154 pounds, where he appears to have found a comfortable weight and increased power. His speed, athleticism, and ring IQ remain his greatest assets, and his ability to switch stances seamlessly makes him a difficult opponent for any fighter in the division.

Ennis’s performance also highlighted the impact of no longer having to drain himself to make the 147-pound limit. He looked noticeably fresher and more energetic, allowing him to maintain a high pace and deliver devastating punches throughout the brief fight.

"[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 said.

The junior middleweight division is currently one of the most competitive in boxing, with a number of talented fighters vying for supremacy. Ennis’s arrival adds another dimension to the division, and his potential matchups with Ortiz Jr., Charlo, Fundora, and Murtazaliev promise to be exciting and highly anticipated events.

As Ennis embarks on his campaign at 154 pounds, he has made it clear that he intends to dominate the division and become a unified champion. His performance against Lima served as a powerful statement of intent, signaling his readiness to challenge the best fighters in the world and stake his claim as the future of boxing. The boxing world now awaits the outcome of Ortiz Jr.’s fight against Lubin, with the anticipation of a future Ennis-Ortiz Jr. clash already building. The potential fight represents a clash of two of the most exciting and talented young fighters in the sport, and would undoubtedly be a major event on the boxing calendar.