Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis revealed on social media that he’s facing Uisma Lima in a 12-round bout in his debut at 154 on October 11th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The event will be shown live on DAZN.
Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, had said last week that he’d found a “hungry fighter” that would test ‘Boots.’ The “hungry” word was code for another easy mark for Jaron.
Fans Criticize Ennis’s Matchup
People are unhappy with this choice by Ennis, viewing it as a signal that he’s wasting his career and is too timid to fight the top-level fighters.
The rumors had been circulating for weeks that the former IBF and WBA welterweight champion Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) was facing #10 WBA Lima (14-1, 10 KOs). It turns out that they were true, and fans are not happy about it.
“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,” said Eddie Hearn.
Lima is worse than fans had hoped that ‘Boots’ would face for his first of what is believed to be two tune-ups. The 32-year-old Lima has fought lesser opposition most of his six-year career. Two years ago, he took a step up in competition against the British fighter, Aaron McKenna, and lost a lopsided 10-round unanimous decision in 2023.
The 28-year-old Ennis appears to be hesitant to jump right into the junior middleweight division to begin fighting the top-level competition. Fans view Jaron’s cautiousness as more of a fear-based manner of how Ennis has been matched since he turned professional nine years ago.
Uisma Lima’s Boxing Record
Uisma then returned to fighting sub-level opposition, having won his last five fights. It’s unclear why ‘Boots’ Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, didn’t at least match him against the guy that beat Lima, McKenna. If Ennis can’t even beat him, he should retire because most of the top 15 are superior fighters to that guy.
October 11th I’m back in the bity at the Wells Fargo Center 😈😏 154 IM HERE.. New weight same goals THE TOUR CONTINUES ! 👑👑👑 I CANT WAIT 😬 35-0 31KOs coming soon 🙏🏾❗️ #TeamEnnis #PIACTour 😮💨 THEY GOTTA SEE ME REGARDLESS NO IF ANDS OR BUTS! 🫵🏾 #2WeightDivisonChampLoading👑 pic.twitter.com/lKmmjZei5I
— Boots (@JaronEnnis) August 11, 2025
