Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis makes a super welterweight debut at the Xfinity Arena in his hometown of Philadelphia this Saturday, and he takes on Uisma Lima over a scheduled 12 rounds for the interim WBA title.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promote Ennis vs Lima and DAZN screen the action live worldwide.
Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) has long been touted as the next pound-for-pound star, but is yet to have a career-defining bout, with his options at welterweight becoming limited.
The 28-year-old was upgraded to full IBF world champion last year, and promptly forced David Avanesyan to retire after five rounds in his first defence, before rounding off the year with a rematch points win over Karen Chukhadzhian in November.
‘Boots’ was last seen in April, where he unified the welterweight division with a dominant win over WBA titlist, Eimantas Stanionis, retiring the Lithuanian after six rounds.
IBO champion, Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) is Ennis’ first test at 154 pounds, and the Angolan is a safe option.
The 32-year-old was soundly beaten on points by Aaron McKenna in June 2023, but has won four times since, picking up the vacant IBO strap in December last year with a points win against Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti in Toronto.
Lima defended in South Africa in May, stopping Shervantaigh Koopman in nine.
Prediction: Ennis will want to put himself in the frame for a meeting with the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr, and a stoppage win will go some way to doing that. I think he can remove Lima from battle by halfway here.
Barriere battles Vianello
At heavyweight, Alexis Barriere (12-0, 10 KOs) can claim the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title by halting Guido Vianello (13-3-1, 11 KOs), who is coming off a points loss to Richard Torrez Jr.
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Remaining Undercard
The final ten-rounder is at welterweight, where Tahmir Smalls (15-0, 11 KOs) can outscore Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1, 6 KOs).
The only eight-rounder sees Aldershot-based Giorgio Visioli (8-0, 6 KOs) on the bill, and he can take a clear points win over James Wilkins (13-3, 6 KOs) at super featherweight.
In six-rounders, Zaquin Moses (4-0, 3 KOs) should outpoint Antonio Dunton El Jr (6-4-2, 2 KOs) also at super featherweight, and Dennis Thompson (7-0, 5 KOs) can get the better of Sean Diaz (9-0, 2 KOs) on the cards.
Justin Palmieri (5-0, 3 KOs) should be an early winner against Naheem Parker (5-3, 2 KOs) at lightweight.
Lightweight hope Harley Mederos (8-0, 7 KOs) is also set to feature against an opponent to be confirmed.
