Avila Perspective, Chap. 346: Philadelphia’s Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis Debuts at 154

Welcome to the super welterweights, Jaron Ennis.

As a welterweight, “Boots” Ennis was considered the top of the mountain so long as Terence Crawford was not in the division. But as a super welterweight, the Philly fighter has entered the danger zone.

Ennis (34-0, 32 KOs) takes his first super welterweight steps against Portugal’s Uisma Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

The extra seven pounds makes a big difference.

Take, for instance, the current standings in the super welterweight division. No other division in boxing has the parity and quality in numbers. We can start with Charles Conwell (21-1, 16 KOs), Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KOs), Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KOs), Tim Tszyu (25-3, 18 KOs), Serhii Bohachuk (26-3, 24 KOs), Brandon Adams (26-4, 16 KOs), Jesus Ramos (23-1, 19 KOs), Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs), Israil Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 KOs), Keith Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs), Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs), Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) and Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs).

Stacked.

It becomes blatantly obvious what happens to the division if Crawford were to drop down to super welterweight.

First things first. Ennis meets Lima. a slender fighter who promises to meet and exceed expectations on Saturday. Lima’s only loss came to Irish middleweight Aaron McKenna two years ago. No embarrassment there. McKenna is a tough, tough match for anyone.

“Boots does everything well, but me too! I work hard, I have good footwork, I have an explosive punch. I think they have made a big mistake,” said Lima. “I want to put my name in history. I don’t want to be just the number one in Portugal, I want respect.”

Ennis has a variety of fighting styles he can toss at any opponent regardless of weight. Aside from speed and defense, he also possesses a good chin for anyone good enough to pierce his guard. That’s probably the most important tool in his war chest. It’s what separates the champions from the contenders.

“I’ve got an extra seven pounds. I feel good, I feel great,” said Ennis on social media. “I’m going to take over this weight division beginning on Oct. 11.”

First to face Ennis at 154 is Lima.

“He has been fighting at 154 so he’s going to think he is the bigger guy,” said Ennis. “He’s going to come forward.”

The Philly fighter won’t be satisfied with just a win.

“I got to make a statement at 154,” Ennis said. “I’m going to start knocking them down one by one at 154.”

Commerce Casino on Friday

Once again, the Commerce Casino hosts a boxing show. Many of its previous tenants opted for other locations.

Red Owl and Bash Boxing Promotions bring a bevy of top contenders and prospects including super featherweights Deonte Brown (16-0) and Grimardi Machuca (17-2) in the main event. Also, Saul Sanchez (21-4, 12 KOs) who fought for the bantamweight world title last year is set to face Puerto Rico’s Edwin Rodriguez (12-9-2) in the co-main. It’s a rematch. Six years ago, Rodriguez upset Sanchez, rallying in the second half of their 10-round fight to eke out a split decision.

DAZN will stream the card that includes two female bouts.

Doors open at 5 p.m.

Cecilia Braekhus Retires

Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus defeated Ema Kozin to win the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles last weekend in Norway, then announced her retirement from boxing professionally. She began her Hall of Fame career in 2007.

Known as the “First Lady”, Braekhus broke the glass ceiling that kept women’s boxing from being shown on HBO Boxing. Twice she was televised by HBO and on December 2018 she was the featured main event for HBO’s final boxing telecast.

Braekhus also fought at Commerce Casino three years ago and is responsible for convincing Norway to legalize boxing in that country. She was formerly an undisputed welterweight champion.

She had an elegant fighting style and was gracious outside the ring.

Fights to Watch (All times Pacific Time)

Fri. DAZN 6 p.m. Deonte Brown (16-0) vs Grimardi Machuca (17-2).

Sat. DAZN 9 a.m. David Allen (24-7-2) vs Arslanbek Makhmudov (20-2).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Jaron Ennis (34-0) vs Uisma Lima (14-1).

Photo credit: Emma Brawley / Matchroom Boxing

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