FORMER unified welterweight world champion, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, was always going to be within touching distance of a world title shot after confirming his move up to the 154lb division. Now, the Philadelphian has selected the WBA route, and it is easy to see why.
Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), was upgraded to full IBF welterweight world champion almost two years ago, after Terence Crawford vacated the title ahead of a jump up to the super-welterweight scene.
Since then, ‘Boots’ has made two defences of the belt, first in an underwhelming points win when rematching Karen Chukhadzhian, and then in an authoritative stoppage victory against WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis to unify the belts at 147lbs.
Despite that tremendous performance back in April, Ennis revealed soon after that his time at welterweight was done and confirmed a move to super-welterweight.
Yesterday, Matchroom Boxing announced that the Philadelphian will be tasked with Angola’s Uisma Lima, 14-1 (10 KOs), in his 154lb debut. It’s a final eliminator for the WBA super-welterweight throne, despite Lima being the WBA #10 contender.
At present, Crawford officially reigns as the WBA super-welterweight world champion. ‘Bud’, however, is expected to vacate or be stripped of the belt following his super-middleweight showdown with Canelo Alvarez next month.
Meanwhile, Cuba’s Yoenis Tellez, 10-0 (7 KOs), is currently the WBA Interim titlist and will likely be upgraded to full champion when Crawford’s reign comes to an end, providing Tellez overcomes Abass Baraou, 16-1 (9 KOs), next weekend.
Therefore, although Ennis-Lima is a final eliminator at present, it would be of no surprise to see the WBA Interim title added to the clash, once either Tellez or Baraou is upgraded to full world champion.
As a result, Ennis’ meeting with Lima may well determine the WBA’s mandatory challenger and opponent for the first defence of their new champion, hence why ‘Boots’ and Hearn have opted for this path towards the super-welterweight throne.
Ennis-Lima will take place in the American’s hometown of Philadelphia, at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, October 11, and will be available to watch live on DAZN. A win for Ennis should see him move closer to a clash with Vergil Ortiz Jr, which was being discussed as a possibility for January.
