Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs. Uisma Lima | DAZN - October 11, 2025

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Jaron Ennis Expects To Be Stronger, Sharper Mentally Entering 154-Pound Debut

Jaron Ennis feels much different as he winds down camp for his fight with Uisma Lima than he did six months ago.

Dropping down to the welterweight limit of 147 pounds became more problematic for the former unified champion than he let on at the time. You wouldn’t have known it by the way Ennis dominated Eimantas Stanionis, but the gifted fighter nicknamed “Boots” knew he’d have to move up to junior middleweight for his following fight.

Ennis was a welterweight for the first nine years of his career. Becoming undisputed champion in that division still appealed to him, but he couldn't wait.

Ennis, 28, announced in June that he would relinquish his Ring, IBF and WBA welterweight titles to compete at 154. He is thankful that he ultimately listened to his body as his junior middleweight debut approaches

“Camp has definitely gone way better,” Ennis told The Ring. “I’ve got that extra seven pounds, so I feel great.”

A fresher Ennis expects his physical condition to help him produce another dominant performance against Angola’s Uisma Lima on October 11. DAZN will stream their 12-round WBA elimination match as a main event from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where the NBA’s Sixers and NHL’s Flyers play their home games.

“Me moving up and being at 154, it’s definitely better,” Ennis said. “I feel I’m gonna be better. I feel like I’ll be stronger, I’ll be faster, I’ll be sharper. My IQ will be better. Everything gonna be on point.”

The ambidextrous Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs, 1 NC) was on point in the biggest fight of his career against Stanionis.

He dropped the 2016 Olympian with successive left uppercuts in the sixth round in a bout between unbeaten champions April 12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Lithuania’s Stanionis (16-1, 9 KOs, 1 NC), who went down for the first time as an amateur or pro, was behind 60-53 on all three scorecards when he declined to answer the bell to start the seventh.

Stanionis was considered by oddsmakers a more dangerous opponent than Lima (14-1, 10 KOs). Making welterweight for the final time proved to be more difficult for Ennis, though, than the fight itself.

“I don’t how I did it, but I just did it,” he said. “I’m a professional and I did what I had to do to make the weight. But now I don’t have to suck myself down seven more pounds."

Ennis declined to discuss a potential showdown with Vergil Ortiz or any other future fights at junior middleweight. Nonetheless, if he beats Lima and Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) defeats Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) on November 8 in Fort Worth, Texas, DAZN’s decision-makers and Eddie Hearn — whose company, Matchroom Boxing, promotes Ennis — are expected to push for a fight to take place early in 2026.

DraftKings lists Ennis as an unsightly 25-1 favorite to overwhelm Lima, who has won four straight fights since he lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Ireland’s Aaron McKenna (20-0, 10 KOs) in June 2023.

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Jaron Ennis-Uisma Lima now comes with WBA interim title at stake

The stakes are raised for Jaron "Boots" Ennis' foray into the 154lbs division, even if the matchup itself leaves a lot to be desired.

An interim version of the WBA junior middleweight title will be on the line for Ennis' clash with Angola's Uisma Lima, this Saturday from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Ennis' hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The scheduled 12-round contest was previously designated as a final eliminator for the main version of the WBA title held by Germany's Abass Baraou. However, the matchup received an upgrade which should help speed up the process for Ennis to eventually challenge for his second divisional title.

Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), previously served as the lineal and unified WBA/IBF welterweight champion. He held the IBF title since November 2023 and made three successful defenses. The final act of the reign marked his finest hour as a pro, as Ennis manhandled then-unbeaten WBA beltholder Eimantas Stanionis to the tune of a 6th round stoppage in their April 12 unification bout in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

It was widely speculated prior to the contest that Ennis would move up in weight, given the absence of the opportunity to further unify at 147lbs. The career decision led to his team carving out the quickest path to become a two-division champ.

The first stop will come against the unheralded Lima, 14-1 (10 KOs), who fights in the U.S. for the first time. The well-traveled 32-year-old southpaw - originally from Angola but who now lives in Portugal - has fought in Spain, Portugal, the U.K.. Germany, Canada and - most recently - South Africa.

However, his relative anonymity coupled with the lopsided odds have left many observers and critics sour on this weekend's DAZN headliner.

Ennis is a whopping -3000 favorite to prevail, according to bet365 sportsbook. The path to become a mandatory challenger seems like overkill for a fighter of his stature, particularly considering that it will lead to the least notable option in an otherwise talent-rich 154lbs division.

Sebastian Fundora is the reigning WBC titlist, who next defends against Keith Thurman later this month. Vergil Ortiz Jnr is the WBC interim titlist and will face Erickson Lubin on November 8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Recently crowned WBO 154lbs title claimant Xander Zayas is presently without an opponent but is seeking a Puerto Rico homecoming for the first quarter of 2026. Ironically, Baraou's name surfaced as a targeted option.

IBF beltholder Bakhram Muratazaliev was previously ordered to next face de facto mandatory challenger Josh Kelly. The two sides previously requested an extension before a purse bid hearing was called, with the belief that a deal will soon be reached. However, that moment has yet to come nor have any involved parties provided a status update.

Baraou, 17-1 (9 KOs) was recently upgraded to full titlist from his previous interim status. The move came once the opening bell sounded for Terence "Bud" Crawford's eventual 12-round, unanimous decision victory over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs) to claim the undisputed 168lbs championship.

Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs) was permitted to enter the ring as the WBA junior middleweight titlist, having won the belt in a 12-round decision over Israil Madrimov last August 3 in Los Angeles, California. He was permitted to keep the belt just long enough to be announced as the reigning titleholder

[MPW]

I see the WBA is up to its old tricks - aaaagain.

First, the fight was the "final" eliminator to "earn" a shot at winning the WBA title, but now it's for the interim title. WTF? Why is there even a need for the interim title, since Baraou was just "elevated" to the full title holder less than a month ago? Oh, I know! This is just a cheap ploy to get Boots a "title" at 154.

I believe Lima is a better fighter than most people are giving him credit for, but he's not going to beat Ennis short of knocking him out. (And if that should happen, the powers that be would probably find a way to DQ him.)

And once Boots has that prestigious 154 interim belt, Baraou will be treated like little more than a placeholder for the full title. He'll either lose it in the ring or a WBA conference room. I'm kinda leaning toward that second option.

I have to admit, part of me would love to see Lima topple the apple cart and beat Ennis. I don't see it happening, but it would be ironic to see all this interim title BS and scheming amount to nothing.

[gilgamesh]

It does ultimately amount to nothing. I don't remember any moment in a Boxer's career when he has held an Interim Championship

[handsofstone]

Lima put in a gallant effort against Aaron McKenna but Ennis is a couple level above that at least, poor fight, I'm noy sure Ennis wants the smoke like the top guys

[Taansend]

Ennis looks drained as fucked in the face off photos yesterday.

Those last few days must be hell for a fighter.

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Weigh in

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Jaron Ennis - 153.4 lbs
Uisma Lima - 153 lbs

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Weights for the full card are below.

12 rounds, junior middleweights
Jaron Ennis: 153.4lbs
Uisma Lima: 153.0lbs

10 rounds, heavyweights
Guido Vianello: 247.4lbs
Alexis Barriere: 237.0lbs

10 rounds, welterweights
Tahmir Smalls: 146.8lbs
Jose Roman: 146.4lbs

6 rounds, junior featherweights
Dennis Thompson: 121.4lbs
Sean Diaz: 122.0lbs

6 rounds, lightweights
Zaquin Moses: 132.2lbs
Antonio Dunton-El Jnr: 133.4lbs

8 rounds, lightweights
Giorgio Visioli: 135.0lbs
James Wilkins: 134.6lbs

6 rounds, junior welterweights
Harley Mederos: 141.6lbs
Hylon Williams Jnr: 138.4lbs

6 rounds, junior middleweights
Justin Palmieri: 136.4lbs
Naheem Parker: 141.6lbs

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Date: Saturday October 11, 2025
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena - Philadelphia, PA
TV/Stream: DAZN

Start Times
YouTube: 5 pm ET | 2 pm PT | 10 pm BST (Preliminary Card)
DAZN: 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT | 1 am BST (Main Card)

Promoted by: Matchroom Boxing

Main Card

WBA Interim Super Welterweight Championship
Jaron Ennis vs. Uisma Lima

WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Championship
Alexis Barriere vs. Guido Vianello

WBA Continental North America Welterweight Championship
Jose Roman vs. Tahmir Smalls

8 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Giorgio Visioli vs. James Wilkins

6 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Zaquin Moses vs. Antonio Dunton El Jr.

Preliminary Card

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Harley Mederos vs. Juan Silva

6 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Dennis Thompson vs. Sean Diaz

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Justin Palmieri vs. Naheem Parker

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This starts in half hour

[gilgamesh]

Roman has been quite a challenge here for Smalls. Smalls knocked down Roman early on, but has had a lot of trouble in the back half of the fight.

[gilgamesh]

Smalls gets a Unanimous Decision. Pretty competitive fight.

[gilgamesh]

Guido Vianello vs Alexis Barriere coming up next

Good matchup of Heavyweight fringe contenders

[gregregegg]

great from guido. took a bit of my winnings from mak on points and put it into guido by stoppage... i just felt the difference in experence was too great.

Guido would be an absolutly supurb moses opponent.

[skanksta]

Well done Guido

[gregregegg]

USA anthems are without doubt, the worst part of sport.

[gregregegg]

well shit ay, won money on boots round 1-4.... its rare i win gambling... its very rare i win 3 times...

Now to go loose it on lithuainian womens ice dancing...

[Evander]

Onto November 8th for Vergil Ortiz Jr then
Seemed like an easy win, nothing coming back and one way traffic for Ennis once he unloaded
Looks good on the record and hype, timing is good
But considering how little we saw of him it's barely a blip on his progress except to say he maintained

[gilgamesh]

Well Boots took care of a no name opponent the way you want a guy to take care of a no name opponent. Hopefully the Ortiz fight is next.

[gilgamesh]

USA anthems are without doubt, the worst part of sport.

It is pretty damn unbearable I agree.

[Freedom]

Boots doing himself no favors fighting fringe contenders. Not watching his future fights unless matched appropriately.

[gilgamesh]

Boots doing himself no favors fighting fringe contenders. Not watching his future fights unless matched appropriately.

I believe he's only recently signed with Eddie Hearn right? His level of competition is about to go up I think. Ortiz would definitely be his toughest opponent to date if that does indeed happen next like they're hoping.

[Evander]

Boots looked old