BoxRec

JARON ENNIS' 154-POUND DEBUT SET FOR OCT. 11 IN PHILADELPHIA

The junior middleweight debut for Jaron “Boots” Ennis is officially set.

Matchroom Boxing announced on Monday that Ennis will square off against Uisma Lima on October 11 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on DAZN. The bout is slated to be a 154-pound WBA title eliminator, and Lima’s IBO belt is on the line as well in what will be Ennis’s third hometown fight in the arena since last year.

"They can say what they want, it doesn’t make me a difference – these dudes can’t tie my shoes,” said Ennis. “I'm the best in the world and they know it! I want all the big names and belts. The tour continues.”

Ennis (34-0 30 KOs) stopped Eimantas Stanionis in six rounds in April to become the The Ring, WBA, and IBF welterweight champion. Ennis announced in June that he’d be moving up to 154 pounds. In July, Matchroom signed Ennis to a new multi-fight, multi-year contract extension.

Even though he hasn't made his division debut yet, Ennis already has the attention of the sanctioning bodies. He's ranked No. 1 by the WBC, No. 2 by the WBA, and No. 4 by the WBA at 154 pounds.

If Ennis successfully gets past Lima, the plan is for Boots to face Vergil Ortiz Jr. in 2026.

The little-known Lima (14-1 10 KOs) is a 32-year-old from Angola who now lives in Portugal. Lima has never fought in the United States and is riding a four-fight winning streak since suffering the lone loss of his career to Aaron McKenna in 2023 via unanimous decision. Lima has bested three-unbeaten fighters in a row across South Africa, Canada, and Germany.

“I am very excited to be taking on the biggest challenge of my life against a legit, world-level fighter in Ennis,” said Lima. “I believe in myself … we will be coming to war. Please don’t take me lightly, Boots, as I am coming to win.”

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn is bullish on Boots’ potential in a new weight class.

“I cannot wait to see Boots at 154 pounds,” said Hearn. “Jaron was outstanding in what turned out to be his last fight at 147 pounds, but after listening to his body, it’s time to start the journey to two-weight glory, and I cannot wait to see what sort of animal this man will be at his new weight.

“But October 11 is a real test. Uisma has consistently won fights on hostile territory, and the big-hitting African is coming to Philly to make a name for himself and take those big fights that are there for Boots next.”

Thought Boots was WBC ranked number 1.

So why he chasing WBA belt.

Just horrendous; but, at least he's fighting.

Jaron Ennis heading back to Philadelphia to fight Uisma Lima in junior middleweight debut

Former unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis has announced that he will make his 154lbs debut on October 11, against Uisma Lima.

Ennis has not boxed since his dazzling victory over Eimantas Stanionis in Atlantic City in April. There, Ennis added the WBA belt to the IBF crown he already owned. In June, Ennis confirmed an imminent move to junior welterweight.

Lima, a 32-year-old based in Porto, Portugal, is 14-1 (10 KOs). Born in Angola, his only loss came to talented Irishman Aaron McKenna on points over 10 rounds in June 2023.

Lima has won four in a row since, with his last two wins coming against Shervantaigh Koopman, who was 15-0, and Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti, who was 19-0.

Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), and southpaw Lima will meet at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, home of two of Ennis’ last three bouts.

It marks the Philadelphian’s first fight since signing a long-term promotional extension with Matchroom.

“They can say what they want it don’t make me [sic] a difference,” said Ennis in a press release from Matchroom. “These dudes can’t tie my shoes. I’m the best in the world and they know it. I want all the big names and belts – the tour continues.”

Lima, who was among a list of names that included Josh Kelly for consideration for Ennis’ first 154lbs opponent, said: “I am very excited to be taking on the biggest challenge of my life against a legit, world-level fighter in Ennis. I believe in myself. I want to thank my team for everything they have done and on October 11 we will be coming to war. Please don’t take me lightly, Boots, as I am coming to win.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn is excited to see Ennis at the new weight.

“I cannot wait to see Boots at 154lbs,” said Hearn. “Jaron was outstanding in what turned out to be his last fight at 147lbs, but after listening to his body, it’s time to start the journey to two-weight glory, and I cannot wait to see what sort of animal this man will be at his new weight. But October 11 is a real test. Uisma has consistently won fights on hostile territory, and the big-hitting African is coming to Philly to make a name for himself and take those big fights that are there for Boots next.”


Ennis added on his social accounts: “October 11th I’m back in the city at the Wells Fargo Center, 154 IM HERE… New weight same goals THE TOUR CONTINUES! I CANT WAIT. 35-0 31KOs coming soon.”

I suppose it could be worse. I don't expect Lima to present too much of a challenge, but at least he's not a complete "no-hoper".

Be curious to see who Boots takes on after this one. Will he actually step up or continue along the same path he's been on?

Only two more years and I can include Boots in my personal "best contenders in their 30s" list.

Also, what am I reading?

https://x.com/jesusramosjr_/status/1955 ... 19762?s=46

JARON ENNIS CLAIMS UISMA LIMA WAS LAST RESORT; WANTED JESUS RAMOS, SERHII BOHACHUK

Jaron Ennis does a great job avoiding punches in the ring, but the criticism he is receiving outside of it is landing directly on his chin.

Shortly after pounding Eimantas Stanionis on April 12 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to become the welterweight division’s Ring, IBF and WBA champion, Ennis had a decision to make. On one hand, he wanted to continue chasing down the beltholders in the division in a bid to become undisputed champion. On the other hand, making 147 pounds was painfully difficult.

While his goal was to become an undisputed champion, he decided against sticking around and opted to move up in weight. He’ll officially make his 154-pound debut against Uisma Lima on Oct. 11 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Fans have ripped the switch-hitting star since the news broke Wednesday. Angola’s Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) is a relatively unknown boxer. He has beaten three undefeated fighters in a row, but he has yet to fight stateside.

Is the criticism fair? Well, considering that Lima was his last choice, Ennis doesn't believe so.

“That’s not who we wanted,” Ennis told YSM Sports Media. “I asked for [Jesus] Ramos and [Serhii] Bohachuk and all these other guys. Lima was the only one who was available and took it. Everybody else is either injured or got a fight coming up or a mandatory. I’m glad Lima took it.”

Ultimately, Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs, 1 NC) wants to use Lima as a steppingstone as he makes his way toward the junior middleweight division's current champions.

Along the way, however, he’ll have to navigate through the bloodthirsty potential opponents that are waiting on him, most notably Vergil Ortiz Jr. Promoters Oscar De La Hoya (Ortiz) and Eddie Hearn (Ennis) have claimed that fight will eventually happen.

Ennis supposedly wants them all. For now, he’ll keep his focus on Lima.

“We gonna handle him,” Ennis said, “get him out the way, and on to the next.”

goose 5 wrote: ↑11 Aug 2025, 19:06 Just horrendous; but, at least he's fighting.

This IS an era of upsets though.

Alot to do with the common inactivity traits amongst the supposad stars of Boxing.

This guy could very well wind up doing even better than Karen did and pull off the upset.

It really wouldn't surprise me all that much.

robbydecker wrote: ↑13 Aug 2025, 19:04

goose 5 wrote: ↑11 Aug 2025, 19:06 Just horrendous; but, at least he's fighting.

This IS an era of upsets though.

Alot to do with the common inactivity traits amongst the supposad stars of Boxing.

This guy could very well wind up doing even better than Karen did and pull off the upset.

It really wouldn't surprise me all that much.

Good points. Plus, there's the common misconception that because a fighter isn't "known" that they don't possess any skill or talent.

MPW wrote: ↑14 Aug 2025, 09:28

robbydecker wrote: ↑13 Aug 2025, 19:04

goose 5 wrote: ↑11 Aug 2025, 19:06 Just horrendous; but, at least he's fighting.

This IS an era of upsets though.

Alot to do with the common inactivity traits amongst the supposad stars of Boxing.

This guy could very well wind up doing even better than Karen did and pull off the upset.

It really wouldn't surprise me all that much.

Good points. Plus, there's the common misconception that because a fighter isn't "known" that they don't possess any skill or talent.

Until they piss hot

EDDIE HEARN INSISTS JARON ENNIS' 154-POUND DEBUT AGAINST UISMA LIMA IS LEGITIMATE MATCHUP

Uisma who?

The announcement that Jaron Ennis would face Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut on Oct. 11 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia wasn't universally well received because the Portugal-based Angolan is relatively anonymous.

Eddie Hearn, Ennis’ promoter, doesn’t understand the criticism. Of course, he knows that Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) is no star. At the same time, the 32-year-old is ranked in the Top 10 by three sanctioning bodies. And Hearn believes that if you took the time to watch his fights, you'd embrace the matchup.

Lima's only loss came by unanimous decision against unbeaten middleweight contender Aaron McKenna in 2023.

“If you know Lima, you know it’s a great fight,” Hearn told The Ring. “The reality is, we needed a fight at 154 that was going to test Jaron Ennis. Eight fighters turned this down for massive money. No one wants to fight Jaron Ennis, but Lima will.

"He’s top ten with three governing bodies, he’s the IBO champion, and this is a WBA final eliminator. This is a brilliant fight.”

Ennis' deleterious knockouts, fast hands, and ability to fight out of both stances won’t scare Lima in the slightest. He has strolled to the ring on three consecutive occasions as an underdog against undefeated fighters since April of last year. Each time, he got the job done.

Still, Ennis is being chastised. Fans expected him to face a top-tier opponent after he dropped his Ring, IBF, and WBA welterweight titles last month and moved up to junior middleweight.

Hearn believes that Lima fits that mold, meaning no one should be shocked if Ennis is tested. If he wins, Hearn guarantees that his star will face the sort of names that will make fans salivate.

Said Hearn: “He will fight anybody.”

Khalil Coe vs Jesse Hart joins Boots vs Lima on October 11th

Khalil Coe will battle veteran Jesse Hart in the later’s native Philadelphia later this year

As first reported by Boxing News Online late last week, Keith Idec revealed that light heavyweight prospect Khalil Coe will meet former title challenger Jesse Hart in the co-feature of Jaron Ennis’ October 11th eliminator against Uisma Lima.

Coe (10-1-1, 8 KO), talented but mercurial, suffered a shock upset loss to Manuel Gallegos two Julys ago after a string of quick finishes. To his credit, he came out red-hot in their rematch and systematically dismantled Gallegos en route to a sixth-round stoppage, showing off the form that made him a hot commodity in the first place. That loss could wind up being the best thing that could have happened to him.

Hart (31-3, 25 KO) gave Zurdo Ramirez two decent challenges in unsuccessful super middleweight title bids. After debuting at 175 with a decision over Sullivan Barrera, which meant something at the time, he hit the deck in a tepid decision loss to Jose Smith Jr in 2020. He’s more or less been entirely off the radar since, and at 36 years old, it’s unclear what he’s got left in the tank.

Still, he’d be the biggest name on Coe’s ledger and can, if he’s on point, tell us whether Coe’s really turned the corner or not.

Thurman said it best recently, Ennis loves his can opening (not that he has faced weak boxers really, but they all have been manageable opponents within his possibilities).

Guys really need to understand that back when Tune-ups were the norm in Boxing so was fighting 4 to 6 times a year.

When you only fight once or twice a year, and one or both are Tune-ups. You're just wasting everyone's time including your own.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 21:20 Guys really need to understand that back when Tune-ups were the norm in Boxing so was fighting 4 to 6 times a year.

When you only fight once or twice a year, and one or both are Tune-ups. You're just wasting everyone's time including your own.

True
Things have changed for the time being

JARON ENNIS-UISMA LIMA UNDERCARD CONFIRMED

Three undercard fights and a host of other names have been confirmed for the Jaron Ennis-Uisma Lima undercard, live on DAZN.

As previously reported by The Ring, Khalil Coe will face the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on two-time world title challenger Jesse Hart on October 11.

Matchroom Boxing announced the encounter will serve as the co-main event to Ennis’ clash with Lima at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Coe (10-1-1, 8 KOs) avenged the only defeat of his career by stopping Manuel Gallegos in the sixth round of their May rematch.

Gallegos (21-3-1, 18 KOs) had previously stunned Coe by stopping him seven seconds into the ninth round of their initial encounter on November 9 last year but the Mexican came unstuck six months later.

And now Coe has been rewarded with another step up, this time facing Hart (31-3, 25 KOs), back at the scene of that defeat to Gallegos.

‘Hard Work’ Hart, who hails from Philadelphia, is on a five-fight winning streak since his 2020 defeat to Joe Smith Jr in Atlantic City. That was the third defeat of his career following a pair of decision losses to Gilberto Ramirez in unsuccessful challenges for the Mexican’s WBO super-middleweight title.

But the 36-year-old still harbours hopes of securing a world title shot up at light-heavyweight and knows a victory over the highly-rated Coe could propel him towards one.

Elsewhere on the card, undefeated heavyweight Alexis Barriere will fight for only the second time outside his native Canada in a clear step-up bout against Guido Vianello.

Barriere had been on the list for a potential fight with Dave Allen this autumn but when Allen opted to face Arslanbek Makhmudov instead, Hearn made this clash with 31-year-old Vianello for the 30-year-old southpaw.

‘The Gladiator’ Vianello (13-3-1, 11 KOs) took Richard Torrez Jr the distance in his last outing and famously stopped Makhmudov himself in August 2024. Barriere (12-0, 10 KOs) is on a three-fight stoppage streak and knows another against Vianello will make a statement in a bustling heavyweight division.

Elsewhere on the card, Tahmir Smalls faces Jose Roman Vazquez in a welterweight bout. Zaquin Moses, Girgio Visioli, Harley Mederos and Dennis Thompson will all feature in separate fights, too.

Next month

Injury rules Khalil Coe out of fight against Jesse Hart

Khalil Coe will have to wait a little longer for his U.S. homecoming fight.

The 29-year-old “Big Steppa” has been forced to withdraw from his 10-round light heavyweight fight on October 11 against Jesse Hart due to what he described on social media as “an ongoing injury.” The fight was to serve as the co-feature to the Jaron Ennis vs. Uisma Lima junior middleweight fight at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, which is about a two-hour drive from Coe's hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey.

“I want to apologize to everyone that was coming to see me go to battle on October 11,” Coe, 10-1-1 (8 KOs), wrote Thursday on his Instagram page. “However there will still be a lot of fireworks on the card.”

The fight was to be Coe’s first since his sixth-round stoppage in Guadalajara, Mexico of Manuel Gallegos this past May, which avenged his first defeat, a ninth-round stoppage loss at the Wells Fargo Center last November. David McWater, who manages Coe, says Coe “busted up his hand” and adds that there is no return date in mind yet, and that they hope to get more information about the extent of the injury next week when Coe visits a specialist.

Few were more disappointed by the news than Hart, 31-3 (25 KOs), a Philadelphia-based fighter who had fans coming to see him try to take a step towards his sixth straight win - and potentially a third world title opportunity. The 36-year-old says he’s still looking to stay on the Matchroom Boxing-promoted card and is hoping a replacement opponent is found.

“I just feel like if he’s saying he had an ongoing injury, why sign a contract? Ongoing means you had this injury for quite some time now,” said Hart, who is hoping to end an 18-month layoff.

“I just feel like he knew he was gonna lose.”

In that fight’s place, the 10-round heavyweight showdown between Alexis Barriere and Guido Vianello will take its spot as the co-featured bout on the DAZN broadcast, a Matchroom source tells BS.

Barriere, 12-0 (10 KOs), of Quebec City, Canada, will be fighting for the first time since signing a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, plus Groupe Yvon Michel and Goldstar Promotions. The 30-year-old southpaw is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Ubaldo Ilagor Resendiz in February, while the 31-year-old Vianello, 13-3-1 (11 KOs), of Rome, Italy is looking to bounce back from his unanimous decision loss to Richard Torrez Jnr this past April in Las Vegas.

Hand injury forces Khalil Coe out of Jesse Hart fight on Oct. 11

Khalil Coe has been forced out of his fight against Jesse Hart on October 11 because of what he described as an “ongoing injury.”

“I want to apologize to everyone that was coming to see me go to battle,” Coe said on social media Thursday. “I love and appreciate everyone who supports me.”

David McWater, Coe’s manager, told The Ring that Coe was sidelined as the result of a hand injury.

“Khalil had a physical, and the doctor didn’t clear him to fight. His hand was all swollen,” McWater said.

Coe and Hart were supposed to square off in a 10-round light heavyweight clash at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, providing chief support on the Matchroom Boxing card headlined by the junior middleweight debut of Jarron Ennis against Uisma Lima.

Coe (10-1-1, 8 KOs) last fought in May in Mexico and avenged the lone loss of his career against Manuel Gallegos. Coe was hospitalized twice in the weeks leading up to his first encounter with Gallegos and diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle breaks down. Gallegos dropped Coe four times en route to a ninth-round stoppage in November. The revitalized Coe rebounded to stop Gallegos in the rematch inside six rounds.

Hart (31-3, 25 KOs) hasn’t fought since April of last year, and has a five-fight winning streak since suffering a split decision loss to Joe Smith Jr. in 2020.

It remains to be seen whether Hart, a two-time super middleweight title challenger from Philadelphia, will remain on the card for a homecoming against a late-replacement opponent.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Oct 2025, 04:18 Hand injury forces Khalil Coe out of Jesse Hart fight on Oct. 11

Khalil Coe has been forced out of his fight against Jesse Hart on October 11 because of what he described as an “ongoing injury.”

“I want to apologize to everyone that was coming to see me go to battle,” Coe said on social media Thursday. “I love and appreciate everyone who supports me.”

David McWater, Coe’s manager, told The Ring that Coe was sidelined as the result of a hand injury.

“Khalil had a physical, and the doctor didn’t clear him to fight. His hand was all swollen,” McWater said.

Coe and Hart were supposed to square off in a 10-round light heavyweight clash at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, providing chief support on the Matchroom Boxing card headlined by the junior middleweight debut of Jarron Ennis against Uisma Lima.

Coe (10-1-1, 8 KOs) last fought in May in Mexico and avenged the lone loss of his career against Manuel Gallegos. Coe was hospitalized twice in the weeks leading up to his first encounter with Gallegos and diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle breaks down. Gallegos dropped Coe four times en route to a ninth-round stoppage in November. The revitalized Coe rebounded to stop Gallegos in the rematch inside six rounds.

Hart (31-3, 25 KOs) hasn’t fought since April of last year, and has a five-fight winning streak since suffering a split decision loss to Joe Smith Jr. in 2020.

It remains to be seen whether Hart, a two-time super middleweight title challenger from Philadelphia, will remain on the card for a homecoming against a late-replacement opponent.

Damn! The Coe vs Hart fight was in all likelihood going to be better than the Main Event.

Fight week!!

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.