Former welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis is set to make his super welterweight debut against Uisma Lima in a WBA title eliminator on Oct. 11 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, as announced by Matchroom Boxing on Monday.
“They can say what they want, it doesn’t make a difference,” Ennis stated in a statement released by Matchroom Boxing. “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.”
Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) will compete in his hometown, transitioning to a new weight class.His last fight saw him stop Eimantas Stanionis in the sixth round, earning him the WBA and IBF welterweight championships. However,Ennis opted to move up to 154 pounds after extending his contract wiht Matchroom Boxing.
His first opponent in this new division will be Lima (14-1, 10 KOs), a relatively unknown fighter. The Angolan native, now based in Portugal, has won his last four fights following a unanimous decision loss to Aaron McKenna in 2023.
“I am very excited to be taking on the biggest challenge of my life against a legitimate, world-level fighter in Ennis,” Lima said in a statement.”I beleive in myself… we will be coming to war. Please don’t take me lightly, Boots, as I am coming to win.”
Currently, Terence Crawford holds the WBA championship. Though, with Crawford scheduled to face Canelo Alvarez in September, he is expected to relinquish the title. Yoenis tellez is the interim champion and would be elevated to full champion upon the title becoming vacant. Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has also indicated a potential matchup between Ennis and WBC interim titleholder Vergil Ortiz in early 2026.
ESPN has confirmed with Ortiz’s management that no agreement is currently in place for a fight between the two.
What are your thoughts on Ennis’ move to super welterweight? Share your predictions in the comments below!
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