Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ junior middleweight debut is on.
The 28-year-old former unified welterweight champion and his opponent, Uisma Lima, comfortably made the 154lbs limit ahead of their Saturday summit at the Wells Fargo Center in Ennis’ hometown of Philadelphia.
Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), looked cool and relaxed on stage, flashing a grin before stepping on the scale for the ceremonial weigh-in, where his official weight of 153.4lbs was announced.
The 14-1 (10 KOs) Lima, a 32-year-old born in Angola and living in Portugal, cut a confident figure at the weigh-in as his official weight of 153lbs was announced. “Maybe knockout,” Lima said, when asked about his prediction for the fight.
Ennis’ junior middleweight stint comes after a successful yet unsatisfying campaign at welterweight during which he unified two titles and earned the lineal crown but was unable to secure a super-fight.
“I feel great. I’m ready to show out and shine, man,” Ennis told DAZN’s Chris Mannix at the other end of the stage. He needed no prodding to consult the crystal ball. “Saturday night, make sure you tune in. Big knockout coming.”
“We know how he coming,” Ennis said on the impending match. “He come forward, bring pressure. That makes for an early night.”
The co-main event is a heavyweight clash between Guido Vianello, veteran of fights with Efe Ajagba and Richard Torrez Jnr, and undefeated but untested Alexis Barriere. The weigh-in was otherwise quiet but for a giggly staredown between Zaquin Moses and Antonio Dunton-El Jnr.
Weights for the full card are below.
12 rounds, junior middleweights
Jaron Ennis: 153.4lbs
Uisma Lima: 153.0lbs
10 rounds, heavyweights
Guido Vianello: 247.4lbs
Alexis Barriere: 237.0lbs
10 rounds, welterweights
Tahmir Smalls: 146.8lbs
Jose Roman: 146.4lbs
6 rounds, junior featherweights
Dennis Thompson: 121.4lbs
Sean Diaz: 122.0lbs
6 rounds, lightweights
Zaquin Moses: 132.2lbs
Antonio Dunton-El Jnr: 133.4lbs
8 rounds, lightweights
Giorgio Visioli: 135.0lbs
James Wilkins: 134.6lbs
6 rounds, junior welterweights
Harley Mederos: 141.6lbs
Hylon Williams Jnr: 138.4lbs
6 rounds, junior middleweights
Justin Palmieri: 136.4lbs
Naheem Parker: 141.6lbs
