Philly fighter Jaron Ennis sets sights on Ortiz after dominant win over Lima in 154-pound debut
- Shidonna Raven
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
By DAN GELSTON
This Article has been curated by UDBN
Updated October 12, 2025
Source: AP
Image/Photo Source: Boxing Scene
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jaron Ennis barely needed 2 minutes to leave a path of destruction in the ring as the Philadelphia fighter successfully moved up to 154 pounds for the first time in his undefeated career.
Ennis needed much less time to spout off who he wanted next: Bring on Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Ennis’ debut at 154 pounds was a smashing success as the rising star proved he could dominate in his new weight class and made quick work of Uisma Lima with a first-round victory via stoppage on Saturday night.
“I’m belt chasing,” Ennis said. “This is my division, 154 is mine.”
Known as Boots, Ennis dropped Lima three times in the first round in a complete mismatch in just 1:58 of the first round — and an absolute statement that Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) is primed for bigger fights. Ennis’ win should set up a fight with Ortiz early next year. Ennis officially claimed a share of the interim WBA junior middleweight title.
“I just wanted to test my body at 154,” Ennis said.
The 28-year-old Ennis won his first test at 154 pounds following an undefeated run at 147 pounds that included three fights out of his last four in the Philly arena also home to the 76ers and Flyers.
Boots did give the Philly sports scene a small boost after a week that included two Eagles losses, the Phillies getting eliminated in the playoffs and two losses in the first two games of the season for the Flyers.
“It was a great win for Philadelphia,” Ennis said.
Ennis, out of northwest Philadelphia, is a rising star in the sport. and used a right uppercut to stun Lima (14-2) before unloading a combination on the Angolan challenger to knock him out for the first time in his career.
Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers’ All-Star guard, yelled encouragement from the front row and fans who stood for the national anthem hardly had time to sit by the time Ennis flattened Lima for the first time.
Ennis, who moved up in weight class after he unified two welterweight belts in an April win, was raised in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and was a Golden Gloves gold medalist as an amateur. He made his pro debut in 2016
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