Jaron 'Boots' Ennis looks refreshed at 154

Why the jump now

Cutting to 147 had become the hardest fight of all. Ennis dominated Eimantas Stanionis in April dropping the 2016 Olympian with successive left uppercuts in Round 6 and leading 60–53 on all three cards before Stanionis retired on his stoolbut “Boots” admitted the scale, not the opponent, pushed him to move up.

“I don’t know how I did it, but I just did it… I’m a professional and I did what I had to do to make the weight. But now I don’t have to suck myself down seven more pounds.”

The matchup

Ennis (34–0, 30 KOs, 1 NC) faces Angola’s Uisma Lima (14–1, 10 KOs) in a 12-round WBA eliminator on Oct. 11, streaming on DAZN from Xfinity Mobile Arena—the home floor for Philadelphia’s NBA and NHL teams. DraftKings has Ennis listed around 25-1 to win, reflecting both his current form and Lima’s step up in class.

Lima enters on a four-fight win streak since a June 2023 decision loss to Ireland’s Aaron McKenna (20–0, 10 KOs). He’s durable, busy, and southpaw-slick exactly the kind of look that rewards Ennis’s trademark switch-hitting.

What’s at stake

A statement at 154 would plant Ennis squarely in the title queue and set the table for marquee nights in 2026. While he declined to discuss future names, the industry chatter is obvious: if Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23–0, 21 KOs) defeats Erickson Lubin (27–2, 19 KOs) on Nov. 8 in Fort Worth, decision-makers at DAZN and Matchroom will push hard for Ennis vs. Ortiz in early 2026.

Keys to the fight

• Hydration & engine: Expect a freer, faster “Boots” with seven fewer pounds to cut.

• Southpaw reads: Ennis’s ambidexterity should open the uppercut and rear-hand counters against Lima’s angles.

• Body work early: Investing downstairs will test Lima’s gas tank as the rounds stack.

By the numbers

• Ennis: 34–0 (30 KOs, 1 NC); last fight TKO-6 Stanionis (April 12, Atlantic City).

• Lima: 14–1 (10 KOs); four straight wins since June 2023.

• Odds (approx.): Ennis –2500; Lima +1100.

• Platform/Venue: DAZN, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia.

• Stakes: WBA eliminator at 154 pounds.

Bottom line

Ennis says he’s stronger, faster, and sharper at junior middleweight. If Saturday goes to script, Philadelphia could be the launchpad for boxing’s next must-see fight at 154.