Imagine watching a boxing phenom obliterate his opponent in under two minutes flat— that's exactly what Jaron 'Boots' Ennis delivered in his thrilling jump to the 154-pound class, leaving fans buzzing about his unstoppable rise.
In a display of raw power and precision, the 28-year-old from Philadelphia, known affectionately as Boots, made short work of Uisma Lima during their bout on Saturday evening at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. This wasn't just any fight; it was Ennis's highly anticipated first outing at junior middleweight—a weight class that demands more size and strength than his previous home at 147 pounds—and he used it to send shockwaves through the boxing world, priming everyone for the blockbuster matchups he has lined up in the coming year.
From the opening bell, Ennis overwhelmed the tough but relatively unknown Lima, dropping him not once, but three times in a mere 118 seconds. The crowd in his adopted Las Vegas hometown erupted in cheers, fully backing their new favorite. It all began with a devastating right uppercut that rocked Lima's world, snapping his head back and opening the door for two rapid-fire combinations of punches that had the Angola-born fighter, who trains in Portugal, crumbling to the mat. By 1:58 into the first round, referee Shawn Clark had seen enough and stopped the action, handing the still-perfect Ennis his 35th career victory—31 of which have come by knockout or stoppage. Even in what many saw as a lopsided pairing, this performance echoed loudly across the sport. Reflecting on it later, Ennis shared, 'As I climb the weight classes, my power only seems to grow. This feels like my true home now, and I made sure everyone heard my statement loud and clear tonight.'
And this is the part most people miss: that statement was laser-focused on Vergil Ortiz Jr., the unbeaten fighter from Texas who's currently holding the WBC's interim title in the junior middleweight division. For beginners, think of an interim title as a placeholder belt that keeps the division active while the main champ is sidelined—it's a big deal, signaling Ortiz as a top contender. Promoters are already buzzing about a potential clash between Ennis and Ortiz in early 2026, which Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, hailed as 'one of the most exciting showdowns American boxing has to offer right now.' Hearn revealed that a deal between his organization and Golden Boy Promotions is all but sealed, just waiting on Ortiz's upcoming defense of his belt against Erickson Lubin this November. But here's where it gets controversial: is this matchup being hyped too much based on potential rather than proven rivalries, or is it the fresh blood the sport needs? What do you think—overblown or must-see?
This swift victory served as sweet redemption for Ennis, who once ruled as the unified welterweight champion—a title that combines belts from multiple sanctioning bodies, showcasing dominance at 147 pounds. For years, he'd pushed his body to extreme limits to hit that weight, a process that's notoriously grueling in boxing, often leading to dehydration and fatigue just to step on the scale. His dad and trainer, Derek 'Bozy' Ennis, had repeatedly warned that those brutal cuts were sapping his explosive edge and overall might. Hearn echoed that sentiment, explaining, 'Boots was literally destroying his body to squeeze into 147. But now, we're witnessing the genuine version of him—operating at nearly full capacity. He's built like a tank, hits like a freight train, and at last, he can fight without those chains holding him back.' Moving up to 154 pounds allows fighters like Ennis to carry more natural muscle and energy, which can transform their style and output—think of it like a car finally getting premium fuel instead of running on fumes.
As for Lima, the under-the-radar contender who entered as a 10-1 long shot, he didn't get much chance to showcase his skills. He started cautiously, flicking out a couple of jabs to gauge the distance, but Ennis cleverly shifted to a southpaw stance—fighting left-handed to confuse opponents—and slipped in that game-changing right uppercut. It lifted Lima's chin as if on a swivel, and before he could recover, Ennis unleashed three sharp hooks that sent him sprawling face-first to the canvas.
Lima somehow beat the count, but it was clear his legs had turned to jelly, and the dazed look in his eyes said it all—he was in serious trouble. Undeterred, Ennis pressed forward with icy determination, unleashing a storm of punches that floored Lima once more. When the fighter struggled back up, he wobbled straight into a corner, and Ennis pounced, raining down blows without mercy. The barrage was so intense that the referee stepped in just as a white towel sailed from Lima's corner in surrender. Post-fight, Ennis seemed almost surprised by how straightforward it was, admitting, 'I wanted to feel him out a bit, see what he had. But my dad shut that down quick: 'No games, son—just finish it.' So that's what I did; I went straight for the win.'
Hearn couldn't hold back his praise afterward, gushing, 'In my career, I've guided some of the all-time greats in the ring, but I genuinely believe Boots tops them all. Sure, plenty of boxers have knockout power, or wizard-like defense, or feet that dance like magic. But Ennis? He possesses the full package—it's like he was built in a lab for this sport.'
Looking ahead, the 154-pound division is stacked with talent, offering Ennis a buffet of intriguing options. There are fresh champions like Xander Zayas, the youngest titleholder in recent memory who just claimed WBO gold, or Abass Baraou with his technical prowess, and even the fan-favorite Sebastian Fundora, whose recent hand injury forced a delay in his defense against veteran Keith Thurman. These could be solid tests, but for everyday fans just getting into boxing, it's worth noting how deep this weight class is—it's like a competitive league where upsets happen, keeping things unpredictable.
Yet, no opponent lights a fire under the boxing community quite like Vergil Ortiz Jr. These two have been on a collision course for what feels like forever, both undefeated stars rising in tandem but never quite crossing paths until now. Their styles—Ortiz's pressure and power mirroring Ennis's—promise fireworks. Ennis was definitive: 'This fight is next on the menu. Ortiz has his bout soon; win or lose, I'll take on whoever comes out on top. But truthfully, I want him—Vergil Ortiz—right in front of me.'
But let's stir the pot a little: some critics argue Ennis's quick wins against lesser foes like Lima don't prove he's ready for Ortiz's level of pressure— is he the next superstar, or just feasting on mismatches? Others counter that his talent is so evident, weight jumps like this only amplify it. What side are you on? Drop your thoughts in the comments—do you see Ennis dominating 154, or is there a upset brewing? I'd love to hear your take!
