All eyes will be on the long-awaited debut of the formidable American fighter Jaron Ennis in the super welterweight division this Saturday night. “Boots” will taste the 154-pound limit against Angola’s Uisma Lima at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with the WBA Interim Title on the line.
The event, promoted by Matchroom Boxing, will be broadcast live on DAZN and will also feature Italy’s Guido Vianello on the undercard.
Jaron Ennis: High Praise and Harsh Criticism
The talented American boxer headlining the card as the clear betting favorite continues to divide opinions.
On one hand, he receives lavish praise from fans and pundits mesmerized by his exceptional boxing skills; on the other, fierce criticism from those who disapprove of the cautious path Boots has taken in managing his career.
After unifying two world titles (IBF and WBA) in the welterweight division, Ennis decided to move up in weight, and many expected his super welter debut to come against a marquee opponent. Instead, the American opted for a tune-up fight, seemingly low-risk on paper — a choice that sparked considerable backlash.
Ennis had already drawn criticism for his less-than-spectacular showing against Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian last November, although those criticisms were arguably exaggerated (click here to read our opinion piece on the matter).
Uisma Lima: A Legitimate Test or a Sacrificial Victim?
While Uisma Lima is not a household name among boxing fans, the Angolan has put together a respectable career so far, taking on several risky fights and winning 14 of his 15 professional bouts.
A true globetrotter, Lima has boxed in Spain, Portugal, the UK, Germany, Canada, and South Africa, and has often upset local favorites. In his last three fights, he impressively defeated three unbeaten opponents in their own backyards.
A southpaw with a strong offensive mindset, Lima is a sturdy, powerful, and aggressive fighter, capable of maintaining a high pace throughout the contest. On the downside, he lacks creativity and unpredictability, and his defense can be exposed by opponents with fast hands and sharp timing.
What will happen? Boxe Punch’s prediction
Choosing Uisma Lima as the first opponent at super welterweight would have seemed perfectly reasonable for any “normal” fighter.
The Angolan’s strength, durability, and fighting spirit make him a solid test for a talented prospect — someone who can push the pace, force movement, and extend the fight without being blown out early.
The uproar surrounding this matchup stems from the perception of Jaron Ennis as a potential superstar. And superstars, as the saying goes, don’t need tune-ups — they’re expected to jump straight into the big fights.
So the question is: can Lima fulfill the role he’s been cast in? Could he replicate the gritty performance of Chukhadzhian, who absorbed an avalanche of punches before rallying back and enjoying some success in the later rounds?
In our view, Lima is too one-dimensional and predictable to follow that blueprint effectively. Unlike Chukhadzhian — whose footwork and adaptability allowed him to switch strategies mid-fight — Lima tends to march forward in straight lines, without a plan B to rely on once under pressure.
Boots should have little trouble reading Lima’s offense, timing his entries, and catching him with sharp counters. If Aaron McKenna, the only man to beat Lima so far, consistently landed his right hand, it’s highly likely Ennis will do the same — with far more devastating results given his renowned punching power.
Lima might be tough enough to last several rounds, but it’s hard to see him staying competitive on the scorecards or pulling off any surprises. We expect Ennis to score a knockout victory between rounds six and eight, in a performance reminiscent of Eimantas Stanionis’s recent defeat last April.