Boxing
Ennis makes his debut against Uisma Lima at 154
Published
1 year agoon
Jaron “Boots” Ennis says he will show it to fans “Modern “Shoes”” in his debut at 154 against Uisma Lima this Saturday, October 11, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
(Source: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing)
Modern shoes are coming
Ennis (34-0, 30 KO) believes that at 154 KO he will be stronger than when he fought at 147 and had to lose huge weights. But he looked just as emaciated this week, hitting the 154-pound limit for Friday’s weigh-in, as he did when he fought at welterweight.
Boots Statement Mission Statement
“I’m ecstatic to fight a top 10 guy at 154. He’s very confident. Like he said, he’s a road warrior. He’s beaten some of them. I’m ecstatic to have a confident guy in front of me. I’m going to show the world my novel shoes at 154,” Jaron “Boots” Ennis said to Ring Magazinediscussing his Saturday fight with Uisma Lima.
While Lima is technically a top-10 junior middleweight, he lacks the resume to suggest he belongs there. He hasn’t beaten any top-15 player in his career
“I remain focused on the task at hand. I’m trying to get that money and make a statement at 154 pounds. Then we can talk about the remaining fighters,” Ennis said when asked if fans would see his fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. in 2026.
Critics remain skeptical
Ennis should have overruled his promoter Eddie Hearn’s decision by selecting Uisama Lima for his debut at 154. There are plenty of fighters in that weight class that he could have fought that he was the favorite to beat and that fans would have given him credit for.
Here are the fighters fans want to see Ennis fight:
Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Terence Crawford
Sebastian Fundor
Xander Zayas
Jesus Ramos Jr.
Ericsson Likes
Serhii Bohachuk
Israil Madrimov
Keith Thurman
Abass Baraou
Tim Tszyu
The weight abuse debate
Considering how exhausted “Boots” Ennis looked this week, the chances of him staying in the 154 division long enough to fight even four of the above fighters are slim. He’s already too substantial for this division, which says a lot about his time at 147 pounds.
This supports some fans’ argument that “Boots” was a bully in the welterweight fight.
Sean Jones has been grinding boxing media since 2008 and joined Boxing News 24 in 2011. He lives in Great Britain, but reports from all over the world. He engages in critical fights – from champions to hungry prospects.
Known for his no-nonsense shots and ring presence, Sean presents fans with a raw image rather than a polished press release.
Last update: 10/09/2025
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Boxing
Chris Billam Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round by Round Action from Zuffa Boxing 12
Published
1 hour agoon
November 7, 2026
Follow Billam-Smith against Clarke with live round reports, scoring and the official result from London.
Chris Billam-Smith fights Cheavon Clarke over 10 rounds tonight on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US. The former WBO cruiserweight champion headlines Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, November 7.
Billam-Smith vs Clarke Round-by-Round Updates
Live reports will appear here from the opening bell, tracking clean punches, knockdowns and which fighter controls each round.
Chris Billam-Smith vs Chev Clarke
2026-11-07 · 14:00 ET / 7:00 PM UK · Copper Box Arena, London · Paramount+, Sky Sports
Chris Billam-Smith0
AFTER0ROUNDS
Chev Clarke0
ROUNDChris Billam-SmithChev Clarke
Undercard Results
Featherweight Masood Abdulah (14-1, 8 KOs) scored two knockdowns to defeat Adan Palma (14-2) by an eight-round unanimous decision. The judges scored it 78-72, 77-73 and 76-74.
Abdulah dropped Palma with a short left hook in the opening minute, then used his jab and compact hooks to catch him coming forward. Palma fought his way back into the contest, landing heavy right hands in the fourth round that forced Abdulah to clinch.
A well-timed check left hook sent Palma down again in the sixth, slowing his attack and giving Abdulah more room to dictate the action. Abdulah worked behind his jab and continued finding the left hook over the final two rounds to secure the victory.
Vinnie Kemp (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam McElhinney (0-3) with a barrage of body shots at 2:33 of the opening round in their scheduled four-round middleweight bout. Making his professional debut, Kemp charged forward from the opening bell, throwing hard punches and goading McElhinney.
The referee briefly paused the action to warn Kemp about his verbals before allowing the fight to continue. Kemp resumed his attack, stalking McElhinney and driving punches into his midsection.
McElhinney bent forward and covered up against the ropes under the sustained body attack, prompting the referee to wave it off. Kemp’s aggression gave him a quick debut victory, although McElhinney offered little to test him.
When Does Billam-Smith vs Clarke Start?
Main-event ring walks: 🇺🇸 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT · 🇬🇧 10 p.m. GMTapproximately.
The undercard determines the final timing. Billam-Smith and Clarke headline a nine-fight show, with Denzel Bentley against Shane Mosley Jr. in the co-feature.
Main-card broadcast:
🇺🇸 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
🇬🇧 7 p.m. GMT
Preliminary coverage:
🇺🇸 12 pm ET / 9 am PT
🇬🇧 5 p.m. GMT
Sky Sports broadcasts the main card in the UK, with prelims available on its digital platforms. Paramount+ carries the prelims and main card in the US through a subscription, without a separate PPV charge.
Two June Stoppage Wins Set Up the Main Event
Both fighters arrive after punishing fights.
Billam-Smith beat Ryan Rozicki in June, with the Canadian’s corner withdrawing him after seven rounds of their Bournemouth contest. Clarke endured a rougher route on the same bill, recovering from two knockdowns before stopping Jack Massey.
Tonight’s contest carries no championship belt. For Billam-Smith, it offers a chance to strengthen his position at cruiserweight while beating an opponent who twice frustrated him.
Clarke’s second amateur victory came in the 2016 national elite championship final. Beating Billam-Smith in the paid ranks would add a former world champion to his professional record and strengthen his case for bigger fights.
Billam-Smith enters at 22-2 with 14 knockoutswhile Clarke brings a 12-2 record with nine stoppages. The experience gap amounts to ten professional contests.
Both cleared the scales on Friday. Billam-Smith weighed 199.5 lbs (90.5 kg) and Clarke 198.8 lbs (90.2 kg) for their cruiserweight headliner.
Zuffa Boxing 12 Undercard Results
Confirmed results and finishing details will be added alongside the matchups below as the bouts conclude.
Main Card
Denzel Bentley vs Shane Mosley Jr.
Middleweight · 10 rounds
Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs Ivan Balaz
Heavyweight · 8 rounds
Sam Hickey vs Amaury Massenaux
Middleweight · 8 rounds
Kayla Allen vs Julia Igel
Super lightweight · 6 rounds
Lucas Roehrig vs Connal McDonald
Cruiserweight · 8 rounds
Prelims
Zach Parker vs Umar Dzambekov
Light-heavyweight · 10 rounds
Vinnie Kemp vs Liam McElhinney
Middleweight · 4 rounds
Masood Abdullah vs Adan Palma
Featherweight · 8 rounds
Boxing
Chris Billam-Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round-by-Round Analysis from Zuffa Boxing 12
Published
1 hour agoon
November 7, 2026
Follow Billam-Smith against Clarke with live round reports, scoring and the official result from London.
Chris Billam-Smith fights Cheavon Clarke over 10 rounds tonight on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US. The former WBO cruiserweight champion headlines Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, November 7.
Billam-Smith vs Clarke Round-by-Round Updates
Live reports will appear here from the opening bell, tracking clean punches, knockdowns and which fighter controls each round.
Chris Billam-Smith vs Chev Clarke
2026-11-07 · 14:00 ET / 7:00 PM UK · Copper Box Arena, London · Paramount+, Sky Sports
Chris Billam-Smith0
AFTER0ROUNDS
Chev Clarke0
ROUNDChris Billam-SmithChev Clarke
Undercard Results
Featherweight Masood Abdulah (14-1, 8 KOs) scored two knockdowns to defeat Adan Palma (14-2) by an eight-round unanimous decision. The judges scored it 78-72, 77-73 and 76-74.
Abdulah dropped Palma with a short left hook in the opening minute, then used his jab and compact hooks to catch him coming forward. Palma fought his way back into the contest, landing heavy right hands in the fourth round that forced Abdulah to clinch.
A well-timed check left hook sent Palma down again in the sixth, slowing his attack and giving Abdulah more room to dictate the action. Abdulah worked behind his jab and continued finding the left hook over the final two rounds to secure the victory.
Vinnie Kemp (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam McElhinney (0-3) with a barrage of body shots at 2:33 of the opening round in their scheduled four-round middleweight bout. Making his professional debut, Kemp charged forward from the opening bell, throwing hard punches and goading McElhinney.
The referee briefly paused the action to warn Kemp about his verbals before allowing the fight to continue. Kemp resumed his attack, stalking McElhinney and driving punches into his midsection.
McElhinney bent forward and covered up against the ropes under the sustained body attack, prompting the referee to wave it off. Kemp’s aggression gave him a quick debut victory, although McElhinney offered little to test him.
When Does Billam-Smith vs Clarke Start?
Main-event ring walks: 🇺🇸 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT · 🇬🇧 10 p.m. GMTapproximately.
The undercard determines the final timing. Billam-Smith and Clarke headline a nine-fight show, with Denzel Bentley against Shane Mosley Jr. in the co-feature.
Main-card broadcast:
🇺🇸 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
🇬🇧 7 p.m. GMT
Preliminary coverage:
🇺🇸 12 pm ET / 9 am PT
🇬🇧 5 p.m. GMT
Sky Sports broadcasts the main card in the UK, with prelims available on its digital platforms. Paramount+ carries the prelims and main card in the US through a subscription, without a separate PPV charge.
Two June Stoppage Wins Set Up the Main Event
Both fighters arrive after punishing fights.
Billam-Smith beat Ryan Rozicki in June, with the Canadian’s corner withdrawing him after seven rounds of their Bournemouth contest. Clarke endured a rougher route on the same bill, recovering from two knockdowns before stopping Jack Massey.
Tonight’s contest carries no championship belt. For Billam-Smith, it offers a chance to strengthen his position at cruiserweight while beating an opponent who twice frustrated him.
Clarke’s second amateur victory came in the 2016 national elite championship final. Beating Billam-Smith in the paid ranks would add a former world champion to his professional record and strengthen his case for bigger fights.
Billam-Smith enters at 22-2 with 14 knockoutswhile Clarke brings a 12-2 record with nine stoppages. The experience gap amounts to ten professional contests.
Both cleared the scales on Friday. Billam-Smith weighed 199.5 lbs (90.5 kg) and Clarke 198.8 lbs (90.2 kg) for their cruiserweight headliner.
Zuffa Boxing 12 Undercard Results
Confirmed results and finishing details will be added alongside the matchups below as the bouts conclude.
Main Card
Denzel Bentley vs Shane Mosley Jr.
Middleweight · 10 rounds
Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs Ivan Balaz
Heavyweight · 8 rounds
Sam Hickey vs Amaury Massenaux
Middleweight · 8 rounds
Kayla Allen vs Julia Igel
Super lightweight · 6 rounds
Lucas Roehrig vs Connal McDonald
Cruiserweight · 8 rounds
Prelims
Zach Parker vs Umar Dzambekov
Light-heavyweight · 10 rounds
Vinnie Kemp vs Liam McElhinney
Middleweight · 4 rounds
Masood Abdullah vs Adan Palma
Featherweight · 8 rounds
Boxing
Robert Garcia Analyzes Tim Tszyus Odds Against Erislandy Lara | Boxing News
Published
4 hours agoon
November 7, 2026
Tim Tszyu seeks to become Australia’s third multi-divisional boxing world champion when he competes for Erislandy Lara’s WBA middleweight title next month, and ahead of the action, trainer Robert Garcia has offered his thoughts on the fight.
Tszyu lost his WBO super-welterweight title in a defeat to Sebastian Fundora back in 2024 and twice failed to reclaim 154lb honours, both against Bakhram Murtazaliev and in a rematch with Fundora.
Since then, the Aussie has stepped up to middleweight and scored a career-best win over Errol Spence Jr earlier this yearand now, the 32-year-old could join lead trainer Jeff Fenech and Liam Paro as his nation’s third two-weight world champion, if he can trump 43-year-old.
Speaking with ProBox TVRobert Garcia, who trains a potential future Tszyu opponent in Vergil Ortiz, admitted that he is leaning towards the home fighter, but noted that Lara will not be phased by competing in the challenger’s backyard.
“We can probably lean towards Tim Tsyzu because he is fighting at home, in front of his hometown, but Lara is not the fighter that brings in a lot of fans following him.
“He doesn’t have a following, he is not one that is going to sell out arenas, so even if it is in the United States, it is likely that most of the people are going to be [there] for Tim Tszyu because Australians do travel and Tim Tszyu has a lot of fans.
“For Lara, going to Australia is like going to Las Vegas or going to New York because he never has that following anyways. Anywhere he goes, he is going to be against the crowd. So, I think for him it is going to be one of those performances where it doesn’t make a difference if he is going to Tim Tsyzu’s hometown.”
Tszyu-Lara takes place at the Cbus Super Stadium in Queensland, Australia on Sunday 13 December.
Chris Billam-Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round-by-Round Analysis from Zuffa Boxing 12
Chris Billam Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round by Round Action from Zuffa Boxing 12
Robert Garcia Analyzes Tim Tszyus Odds Against Erislandy Lara | Boxing News
Chris Billam-Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round-by-Round Analysis from Zuffa Boxing 12
Chris Billam Smith vs Chev Clarke Live Updates: Round by Round Action from Zuffa Boxing 12
Robert Garcia Analyzes Tim Tszyus Odds Against Erislandy Lara | Boxing News
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