Boxing

Jaron Ennis announces KO at 154, Eddie Hearn releases emotions after the fight

Published

10 months ago

October 12, 2025

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! 😳

WATCH HERE: https://t.co/8DpWS3HIlM pic.twitter.com/Rr5ZSCq05A

— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) October 12, 2025

Philadelphia fight night results

WBA interim super welterweight title

Jaron “Boots” Ennis def. UISMA Lima – Who, round 1 (1:58)

Heavyweight

Guido Vianello def. Alexis Barriere – KO, round 5

Welterweight

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.

Boxing

Usyk Analyzes Anthony Joshuas Performance Against Kristian Prenga After Overcoming Two Knockdowns

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Usyk Analyzes Anthony Joshua's Performance Against Kristian Prenga After Overcoming Two Knockdowns"

Oleksandr Usyk has shared his reaction to Anthony Joshua‘s dramatic knockout victory against Kristian Prenga.

Usyk nearly suffered his own shock defeat in May when he was pushed to the limit by kickboxing star Rico Verhoevenand two months on it was nrw teammate Joshua’s turn to come close to a massive upset loss that would have stunned the heavyweight division.

The Brit was dropped twice by massive underdog Prenga in the opening round of their clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, but ‘AJ’ managed to recover and record a big knockdown of his own in the second round that resulted in the stoppage victory.

Joshua and Usyk now train together, having famously had two battles for the unified world heavyweight title in 2021 and 2022, and the Ukrainian has had his say on his stablemate’s victory over Prenga.

Speaking to TalkSporttwo-time undisputed champion Usyk praised Joshua, insisting ‘AJ is back’ before predicting that Joshua will now claim a knockout win over long-term rival Tyson Fury in his next bout.

“Anthony Joshua is next undisputed champion. First round it’s a test but AJ is back.

It’s boxing, [the] big upper cut is good, it’s a knockdown. AJ [come] back and win.

“Greedy Belly [Fury] will speak now and say weak chin, Greedy Belly get out. AJ wins [against Fury], [he will] knock him out.”

Fury was victorious on Friday as he earned a seventh round retirement win against Mariusz Wach in Thailand, paving the way for the showdown against Joshua later this year.

Boxing

Jake Paul Reacts to Anthony Joshuas Stunning Victory Over Kristian Prenga After Two Early Knockdowns

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Jake Paul Reacts to Anthony Joshua's Stunning Victory Over Kristian Prenga After Two Early Knockdowns"

Jake Paul was the last man to fight Anthony Joshua and he has now revealed his verdict on AJ’s chaotic victory over Kristian Prenga.

Joshua went up against Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturdayin a clash that was expected to be a comfortable win for the former world heavyweight champion in order to set up the long overdue battle against Tyson Fury.

Any hopes of seeing that clash were nearly ended after AJ was dropped twice in the opening round of the bout, though he was able to recover and claim the second round knockout to come out on top and prevent a stunning shock upset from taking place.

Saturday’s outing saw Joshua back in the ring for the first time since his sixth round triumph over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul back in Decemberand now ‘The Problem Child’ himself has shared his reaction to his former rival’s victory over Prenga.

Posting on social mediaPaul praised AJ for earning the win, after returning to action following the tragic car crash he was involved in at the end of last year which took the lives of his two close friends.

“Happy for Joshua with that win after all he’s been through. Remembering Sina and Latz with this one.”

Happy for Joshua with that win after all he’s been through.

Remembering Sina and Latz with this one.

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 25, 2026

The win for Joshua should now tee up for meeting with Fury later this year, after ‘The Gypsy King’ held up his end of the bargain by also securing a win in his warm-up bout on Friday, securing a seventh round retirement win against Mariusz Wach.

Boxing

Tony Bellew Reviews Anthony Joshuas Comeback Victory Over Kristian Prenga After Knockdown Drama

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Tony Bellew Reviews Anthony Joshua's Comeback Victory Over Kristian Prenga After Knockdown Drama

Anthony Joshua may have earned a knockout win over Kristian Prenga but the fight certainly didn’t unfold as most people expected.

Joshua was facing the Albanian in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, and it looked like a massive upset could be on the cards when he was dropped twice in the opening round.

‘AJ’ was able to recover and went on to secure a second round knockout victory to prevent the shock lossseemingly paving the way for the battle against Tyson Fury later this year.

One man who was ringside to witness the battle was former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellewand he praised Joshua’s ability to turn things around in the fight after describing it as ‘chaos’.

“We predicted round two but I don’t think we foresaw that. That was chaos. He doesn’t see the uppercut coming and finds himself on the floor without knowing how he got there.

“The second one he did see it coming and he was able to clench down on the jaw. He got up and then the experience that he has he used tonight because he tied him up. Against Andy Ruiz he didn’t know what he was doing and didn’t know how to do that, but tonight he did.

“He showed once again there is no quit. To be that hurt in the first round and get up, that’s the recoveries of power. People talk about your chin, but it’s not, it’s the level of fitness that gets you up from the floor.

“When Joshua gets a fighter hurt he’s the best finisher in the division. Whenever he hurts someone they’re gone. I haven’t seen him drop anybody and they survive, only Andy Ruiz. He’s a ruthless finisher.”

The clash between Joshua and Fury is now expected to be announced soon for later this year, after Fury won his own interim fight on Friday by defeating Mariusz Wach.