Robert Garcia
Philadelphia, PA – Jaron "Boots" Ennis delivered a brutal first-round technical knockout victory over Uisma Lima in his highly anticipated debut at 154 pounds, sending a clear message to the junior middleweight division. The fight, held at a raucous Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday night, showcased Ennis’s power and speed, leaving no doubt about his intentions to challenge the division’s elite.
Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), the former unified welterweight champion, demonstrated his readiness for the new weight class with a dominant performance against Lima (14-1, 10 KOs), a Portuguese fighter with a reputation for upsetting unbeaten opponents. The bout, which lasted just under two minutes, underscored Ennis’s athleticism and the impact of no longer having to drain himself to make the 147-pound limit.
"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 marks Ennis’s return to the ring since his unification bout against Eimantas Stanionis in April, where he secured a stoppage win at welterweight. This performance is expected to pave the way for a potential showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs), provided Ortiz prevails in his upcoming fight against Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) in November.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, Ennis’s promoter, was effusive in his praise of the fighter. "Line them up, and he will knock them out," Hearn proclaimed. "Vergil Ortiz will get destroyed by Jaron Ennis. I will bet the house on it with [Ortiz’s 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."
Lima, a 32-year-old native of Angola, entered the fight with an unbeaten record and a reputation as a dangerous southpaw puncher. However, the experience and superior athleticism of Ennis proved to be an insurmountable challenge. Ennis, at 28, appeared rejuvenated and stronger, benefiting from the move up in weight.
Ennis began the fight in an orthodox stance but switched to southpaw midway through the first round, immediately causing problems for Lima. A lead right uppercut visibly wobbled Lima, prompting Ennis to unleash a series of punches that sent the Portuguese fighter to the canvas.
"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 explained. "So, I touched the hook to the body and tried to come up top a little bit, and that was the first knockdown."
Shortly after the first knockdown, Ennis continued his relentless attack, landing another flurry of punches that dropped Lima for the second time.
Hearn emphasized the significance of Ennis’s move to 154 pounds. "Until 154, this guy has been fighting at 60 or 70 percent of his capacity," Hearn said. "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."
Ennis, fighting as a southpaw, cornered Lima and landed a left uppercut that forced referee Shawn Clark to stop the fight at 1:58 of the opening round.
"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."
Ennis also addressed the strategic approach Lima may have taken in the bout. "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."
Despite some criticism within the boxing community regarding the choice of Lima as his opponent for his junior middleweight debut, Ennis’s performance silenced many doubters. Whether his next fight is against Ortiz or another top contender, Ennis has made it clear that he is ready to take on the best in the division, including all of the reigning titleholders.
"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."
Background on Jaron Ennis
Jaron "Boots" Ennis has been a highly touted prospect since turning professional in 2016. Known for his exceptional hand speed, power, and ring IQ, Ennis quickly rose through the ranks, dominating opponents with his aggressive style. His amateur background includes multiple national championships, setting the stage for his successful professional career.
Prior to his move to 154 pounds, Ennis established himself as a force in the welterweight division. His record includes victories over notable fighters such as Sergey Lipinets, Custio Clayton, and Raymond Serrano. The victory over Eimantas Stanionis solidified his status as a unified welterweight champion, although he later relinquished the title to pursue opportunities at junior middleweight.
The Junior Middleweight Landscape
The junior middleweight division is currently populated with several top-tier fighters, including Jermell Charlo, Sebastian Fundora, and Tim Tszyu. Charlo, a former undisputed champion, has been a dominant force in the division for years. Fundora, known for his height and unorthodox style, holds the WBC interim title. Tszyu is the WBO champion.
Ennis’s entry into the division adds another layer of intrigue, as his skill set and potential match up well against these champions. A fight between Ennis and any of the titleholders would undoubtedly generate significant interest from boxing fans worldwide.
Potential Matchups and Future Plans
The most immediate and anticipated matchup for Ennis is a potential fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. Both fighters are undefeated and possess considerable power, making it a highly attractive bout. However, Ortiz must first overcome Erickson Lubin, a former title challenger, in their upcoming fight.
If the Ortiz fight does not materialize, Ennis has expressed interest in facing Jermell Charlo, a fight that would provide him with an opportunity to immediately challenge for a world title. Other potential opponents include Sebastian Fundora and Bahkram Murtazaliev, all of whom represent significant challenges.
Ennis’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has made it clear that they are targeting the biggest names in the division. Hearn believes that Ennis has the potential to become a pound-for-pound great and is committed to providing him with the opportunities to prove it.
The victory over Uisma Lima was a statement of intent, signaling that Jaron "Boots" Ennis is ready to take on the best that the junior middleweight division has to offer. His combination of speed, power, and ring IQ makes him a formidable opponent for any fighter, and his ambition to become a world champion is driving him to pursue the biggest fights possible. Boxing fans eagerly await his next move, anticipating a thrilling run at 154 pounds.
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