Jaron “Boots” Ennis didn’t just respond to his critics – he shut them down within two minutes.
After a week of questions about his opponent choice and resume, the former unified welterweight king, who was having tremendous trouble making the 147-pound limit, stormed past Uisma Lima in the first round to win the interim WBA super welterweight title at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Knockout sequence
The 28-year-old, fighting at a career-high 154 pounds, switched southpaw early, exchanged fire and detonated a right uppercut that sent Lima into the boots. A few seconds later, a combination of a hook to the left hand and a right hand knocked the Andorian to the floor for the first of three knockdowns.
Lima rose valiantly, but Ennis struck with terrifying accuracy, scoring a second knockdown with a blurry combination before referee Shawn Clark stepped in to end the carnage at 1:58 of the first round.
It was ruthless, clinical and exactly what a full-strength Ennis needed after weeks of doubt suggested he had taken the straightforward route to his super welterweight debut.
“I did what I came for,” a placid Ennis said after the fight. “I told you all I’d make a statement. I’m here now at Super Welter. Name me. I’m ready for anyone.”
Ennis, 35-0 (31 KO), planted his flag in the modern division and declared war on its biggest stars, Vergil Ortiz Jr. Jermell CharloSebastian Fundora and any other title holder.
Emma Brawley
Eddie Hearn’s post-fight tirade
When asked by a reporter after the fight who he needed next, promoter Eddie Hearn interjected and answered bluntly.
“Fundora, Zayas, Baraou – anyone who has the belt,” Hearn said. When asked further if these naysayers were realistic, the Essex resident stated bluntly: “I noticed you guys asked a lot of questions this week and everyone was generally negative, so I’m going to look at it positively.
“I’m the best in the business, he’s the best in the business. Facts. I’ll do my job, he’ll do his job. Facts. I’ve got a job to do because I don’t want to miss the opportunity to watch this guy beat everyone. And I’m going to enjoy every fucking moment of watching him become number one pound for pound.”
Eddie Hearn gets irritated with a reporter over Ortiz Jr.’s questions. vs Boots! 😳
Tahmir Smalls def. Jose Roman Vazquez – UD (98-91, 96-93, 95-94)
Super bantamweight
Dennis Thompson def. Sean Diaz – SD (60-53, 57-56, 57-56)
Preliminaries
Zaquin Moses def. Antonio Dunton El Jr. – UD (60-54 x3)
Giorgio Visioli def. James Wilkins – UD (80-72×3)
Harley Mederos def. Hylon Williams Jr. – Tko, round 1
Naheem Parker def. Justin Palmieri – UD (60-54×3)
About the author
Phil Jay is experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global combat scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN).Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and the most critical boxing evenings in the ring were reported.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales, who is the same age as Floyd Mayweather, presented his version of the 49-year-old’s expected rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
The two pound-for-pound icons will face off in a professional competition on September 19, headlining the Netflix event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, their second meeting seemed to be in jeopardy after Mayweather stated last month that it would be an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and his team have since stated that it will be a fully sanctioned fight, but we are still waiting for an official announcement.
Their first meeting took place in 2015 and earned Mayweather a unanimous decision victory in an event that quickly became known as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
But now the 47-year-old hopes to break Mayweather’s 50-0 record after ending his nearly four-year hiatus from professional boxing last July.
But while the Filipino drew with Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, many suggested he and Mayweather shouldn’t be entering the ring at this stage of their lives.
One of them is Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, winning the first meeting but losing the next two. He told Fight Hub TV that the rematch would be won by the Hall of Famer who turned down the fight the least.
“We’re not at the age to get into fights. But hey, it’ll be intriguing. Whoever arrives the least injured and a little faster, [will win]”
Erik Morales Predicts Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2‼️‼️
“We’re not at the age to get into fights… This will be intriguing. Whoever wins must come to fight less hurt and a little faster!” – Erik Morales
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel told Sky Sports. “Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same venerable story, just novel date.”
The comments question Eddie Hearn’s recent suggestions that Anthony Joshua could face Wilder ahead of his planned clash with Tyson Fury in slow 2026.
Joshua is instead scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, ending any immediate speculation about the long-discussed clash with Wilder.
Just a few weeks ago, Eddie Hearn was here calling Wilder a warm-up fight for Joshua’s scheduled fight with Tyson Fury. This is a solemn marketing move. This keeps the fans engaged and gives the impression that AJ is willing to take on the most risky puncher in the league just to keep himself busy.
However, Shelly Finkel’s answer is fascinating. He firmly stated that there was “no reason” to be frustrated because no real approach was ever taken. If Hearn was solemn, the first step would have been to email or call Finkel. According to Wilder’s camp, such a thing never happened.
Instead of Wilder, Joshua is now officially scheduled to face the little-known Prenga. This move serves two purposes for Joshua’s camp: It is a much safer fight as Joshua rehabs from his car accident earlier this year. It also opens the door to a massive fight with Fury in slow 2026 without the risk of Wilder ruining a payday with one right hand.
This has been a pattern for years. We saw this in 2019 when uncontested talks failed, and again in 2023 when both were on the “Day of Reckoning” card but never actually paired up.
Wilder, who recently returned to the ring after a victory over Derek Chisora, also mentioned his interest in a future fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Finkel’s comments suggest that Joshua’s fight remains in familiar territory, being discussed publicly but never formally pursued behind the scenes.
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
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