Jaron “Boots” Ennis Stops Lima – Boots! On The Ground! – Ennis Stops Lima!
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Promoters: Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport & Boots Promotions
Ring Announcer: David Diamante
Referees: Dave Braslow, Shawn Clark, Eric Dali, Harvey Dock & Ricky
Gonzalez
Editor: Khalil Small
Coverage: DAZN
Commentators: Chris Mannix, Sergio Mora, Todd Grisham
Undercard: Ernesto “Tito” Mercado & Justin Shackil
Photos: Darryl Cobb Jr.
“Where Them Fans At?” With the first bell at 5:25 PM – I made it into the arena at approximately five minutes before the opening bout. With my induction into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame tomorrow, I took my hair-stylist – Syreeta Scott’s (www.duafehairsalon.com) offer to do my locks gratis for the induction ceremony. As the first Jamaican to receive this honor, I must look my best. Therefore, I graciously accepted. However, the only available slot was 12:30 PM – which would leave little room for error. Fortunately, I was able to make it back home by 4:15 PM, get dressed and make it to the Xfinity Mobile Arena without a traffic violation.
I got to the free parking for media in Lot F and quickly made it into the arena to collect my credentials from Anthony Leaver, Head of Media (USA) Matchroom Boxing. I had to get a picture after our brief conversation in which I discovered that we have two mutual friends – my Jamaican brother Spencer “Master Knowledge” Fearon and Ben Doughty – both prominent figures on the landscape that is British Boxing. I took my seat in press row just in time to witness the last minute of the first round of the opening bout to be discussed later in this article.
In the main event former IBF & WBA World Welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (34 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 30 kos) of Philadelphia sent a message to all of the champions, contenders and pretenders in his newly invaded division – super-welterweight – “defend, abdicate, move up or retire because there is a new sheriff in town – and he is coming for all of you!” Ennis was simply electrifying in dismantling and dismissing skillful southpaw Uisma Lima (13 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 9 kos) Luanda, Angola fighting out of Porto, Portugal at 1:58 of the opening round of the scheduled twelve-rounder for the WBA Interim World Super-welterweight title.
Referee Shawn Clark gave the instructions, and the fighters and their handlers retreated to their respective corners. The gong sounded and Boots came out jabbing with Lima doing likewise from the southpaw stance probing for openings. With almost a minute expired Boot switched effortlessly to the southpaw stance without missing a beat – jabbing to the head and body of his opponent. Lima – a doppelganger for Erislandy Lara, WBA Middleweight Champion – continued his forward march. A few moments later Lima threw a straight left and the Philadelphian’s cat-like reflexes responded with a blistering right uppercut that connected on the tip of the Angolan’s chin, forcing him to momentarily get his boots off the ground. Wobbling with Ennis in hot pursuit – unleashing the heavy artillery to his head and body – connecting with a double right hook – Lima found the canvas. “I hope he got good knees!” He was up almost immediately,” referee Clark gave him an eight-count, wiped his gloves and the action resumed.
Like a shark smelling blood in the water, Boots attacked hell-bent on closing the show – landing every punch in his arsenal – sending Lima to the canvas for the second time.
Referee Clark reached the count of three and the fallen fighter was upright. Clark completed the eight-count and again wiped his gloves and motioned for the fight to resume. Boots immediately attacked, digging to Lima’s body and head with power and precision forcing Clark to call a halt to the action – rescuing the impaired pugilist from serious damage. The bout was over, and Boots took his mouthpiece and threw it in the audience as the fans cheered raucously for their hometown hero.
Before ring announcer Diamante could announce the winner – Ennis walked over to Lima and gave him a hug and some encouragement – a sign of respect and sportsmanship. Kudos to Uisma Lima for daring to be great – venturing across the ocean to face Boots in his hometown – showing the temerity that seems absent from too many champions and contenders – Terence Crawford, Brian Norman Jr., Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Xander Zayas!
“Boots has absolutely everything, the future is incredible!” quipped Eddie Hearn, Promoter & Chairman Matchroom Sport at the post-fight press conference. “If everybody is true to their words, we will see Boots vs. Vergil Ortiz in 2026,” he added. I don’t mean to be the harbinger of bad news, but there is a higher probability of US President Donald Trump banning the Klu Klux Klan as a terrorist organization than Oscar De La Hoya, Ortiz’s promoter – placing his fighter in the squared circle with Jaron Ennis. Even Stevie Wonder can see that Boots would end Ortiz’s career!
Listening to Bozy, his trainer & father, Boots was single-mindedly focused on the mission and followed instructions – “Make a statement, go out there and take that guy out!” I doubt that Oscar will risk Ortiz’s health and future revenue by placing him in the ring with the Philadelphia Phenom.
In the sixth bout – a scheduled ten-round welterweight contest for the Continental North American belt, Philadelphian Tahmir “The Don” Smalls (15 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 11 kos) was spectacular, dropping 6 ft 2 inches Jose Roman Vasquez (14 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws – 6 kos) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico in the third-round wining by unanimous decision 98-91, 96-93 & 95-94. Towering over Smalls by five inches – Vasquez was not only taller but appeared at least two weight divisions north of Smalls. Nevertheless, Smalls boxed brilliantly behind his jab never allowing the taller fighter to dictate the tempo and pace – garnering a slight edge in the first two rounds.
During an exchange in the third stanza, Smalls introduced Vasquez to the canvas with a well-timed left hook that got the Puerto Rican fighter’s attention. Upright at the count of four, referee Harvey Dock dusted his gloves, checked his vitals and signaled for the fight to continue. Smalls stalked carefully looking to deliver the closing shots. However, Vasquez demonstrated excellent recuperative powers and was able to navigate his way through the remainder of the round despite Smalls wobbling him with a combination twenty seconds before the bell.
It was a chess match for the remainder of the fight with Smalls being able to outclass his adversary, working behind the jab while being defensively sound. It was textbook boxing and the Philadelphian being several chapters ahead of his opponent whom I found difficult to believe weighed in at 146 lbs. on Friday. Smalls was able to hurt Vasquez briefly with a right to the head in the sixth round. The last four rounds were almost identical with Smalls out-boxing Vasquez who seemed one step behind – unable to solve the puzzle disguised as a Philadelphia welterweight. It was an impressive outing by Smalls who demonstrated exceptional boxing abilities and ring savvy.
Before the start of the seventh bout – a scheduled ten-rounder for the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title between Italian heavyweight the 6 ft. 6 inches, 247 lbs. – 2016 Olympian, Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (13 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 11 kos) and Canadian 6 ft 4 inches 237 lbs. southpaw Alex “The Great” Barriere (12 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 10 kos) – I told my colleagues in press row that Guido was going to win by knockout! Call me Hansondamus because not only did Vianello outbox Barriere but he also scored two knockdowns – one in the fourth round, the second in the fifth – with referee Ricky Gonzalez reaching the ten-count – an end to the extremely entertaining match. Vianello was declared the winner by knockout 26 seconds of round five.
The opening round was close with the fleet-footed Barriere – perpetual motion working behind his right jab, feinting with his hands and feet. However, Vianello kept a high guard, occasionally launching a straight right to offset his opponent. Unlike most heavyweight contests – these combatants engaged at a frenetic pace – a masterful class of heavyweight boxing – a wonderful display of the sweet science. Rounds one, two and three were close. However, Vianello was aggressive in the fourth round eating several straight lefts from Barriere while attempting to land his lethal shots. With approximately 48 seconds remaining in the round Vianello connected with a left hook and attacked with reckless abandon delivering an avalanche of punches – several hooks and uppercuts forcing Barriere to the canvas genuflecting on one knee getting upright as referee Gonzalez reached the count of five, checked his vitals and wiped his gloves and signaled for the action to resume. Vianello hopped on Barriere like a hawk swooping down on pigeon – throwing everything in his arsenal with fifteen seconds remaining in the round. Somehow Barriere was saved by the bell and made it back to his corner on unsteady legs.
Barriere answered the bell for the fifth stanza in a purple haze – still showing signs of the punishment from the preceding round. His corner should have kept him on the stool and not allowed him to answer the bell. He came forward and Vianello landed a left hook and a straight right, and a split second later delivered another right that ricocheted off the left side of Barriere’s cranium – robbing him of his equilibrium – instant discombobulation – sending him to the canvas for the ten-count. Vianello was declared the winner 26 seconds of the fifth round – capturing the Continental Americas Heavyweight title – a spectacular performance – placing him in position for an extremely lucrative fight.
I made it to my press row seat only to catch the final minute of the opening bout – a scheduled six-round junior-welterweight bout – Naheem “The Dream” Parker (5 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 2 kos) Camden, New Jersey vs. Justin Palmieri (5 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) Maple Shade, New Jersey. The thirty-one-year-old Parker joined the punch-for-pay ranks in 2020 and was undefeated in his first five outings before suffering three consecutive losses – the last two by knockout. Thus, it is a reasonable assumption that Palmieri’s handlers and matchmaker believed that Parker would be their undefeated fighter’s sixth victim. However, Parker and his new trainer – former professional pugilist Greg Hackett thought otherwise.
I was told that the first round was close and could have gone either way. Parker was a little busier in the second round working behind his jab, causing Palmieri’s right eye to swell. The action resumed in the third round with Parker boxing judiciously – dictating the pace as the twenty-five years-old Palmieri came forward. There were several exchanges, however Parker was in control. The action resumed in the fourth round at the same pace with Parker maintaining a slight edge.
“All you have to do is let your hands go!” bellowed Hackett from Parker’s corner. The Camden native continued going to the body – working behind the jab. Referee Braslow halted the action in the fifth round for the ringside doctor to examine Palmieri’s swollen eye. The fight resumed and Parker continued out-boxing Palmieri using movement to disrupt his offense. Parker garnered the fifth round and had similar success in the final round.
Parker was awarded a unanimous decision 60-54 on all three scorecards – handing Palmieri his first setback. It was a wonderful display of the art of pugilism. Back to the drawing board for Justin Palmieri who has a bright future.
In the second bout, thirty-five-year-old Hylon Williams Jr. (16 wins – 6 losses – 1 draw – 3 kos) Houston, Texas squared off against Harley “Dennis The Menace” Mederos (8 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 7 kos) Brooklyn, New York – thirteen years his junior in a scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout. Mederos was a mere five-years-old when William made his professional debut on April 19, 2008. A late week replacement, the thirty-five-years-old Williams has a career marred with long layoffs – with only five fights – all losses – in the past ten years beginning with a unanimous decision loss to former WBA & IBF World Featherweight Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa on December 19, 20215.
I rarely if ever disparage boxers, however I would be hypocritical if I didn’t tell you that I am convinced that Williams came to Philadelphia to collect a paycheck with the least effort permissible. The gong sounded and he motored around the ring trading jabs
with Mederos. During an exchange – 45 seconds into the fight, Williams blocked Mederos’ left hook and genuflected – right knee touching the canvas – forcing referee Dali to intervene, rightfully recording a knockdown – administering the eight-count and the action resumed. Fifteen seconds later – Mederos cornered Williams, threw a combination and again Williams took a knee – the second knockdown of the fight. Dali again administered the formalities and the action continued. Mederos caught Williams on the ropes and while blocking and evading punishment – he intentionally took another knee – the third knockdown. Referee Dali gave the eight-count and the action renewed with Williams hopping on his bicycle – making it to the bell ending the round.
Referee Dali strolled over to Williams’ corner and was informed that the man from Texas wasn’t coming out for the second round. Williams got up off the stool and walked over to Mederos’ corner to offer his congratulations. Mederos had his hand raised as the victor by technical knockout at 3:00 of round one. It is obvious that Mederos is a talented fighter. But tonight, I am convinced that his opponent was here just to collect a paycheck. Had this been during the tenure of the late, great Francis Walker, Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission – I am confident that Williams would not be boarding the plane back to Texas with his entire purse for his dismissal performance.
As a boxing purist – the third bout was much appreciated after having to watch Hyland Williams Jr – appearing as though he was attending Sunday Mass at the Vatican – genuflecting three times before exiting. Making his United States debut – two-time England Boxing National Amateur Champion – twenty-two-year-old southpaw Georgio Visioli (8 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 6 kos) squared off against twenty-nine-year-old James “Crunch Time” Wilkins (13 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 6 kos), Staten Island, New York in a scheduled eight-round lightweight bout. Moving up from super-featherweight – Visioli was impressive – pitching a shut-out – demonstrating the art of the sweet science. Round after round he displayed his superior boxing abilities, excellent footwork and defensive wizardry – picking his shots – painting a beautiful picture of pugilistic prowess.
The rounds were almost identical as the Englishman with Philly legend – Danny Davis, Cutman – as a member of his corner – basked in the limelight. I knew that Danny was simply an insurance policy in case of a headbutt because Visioli gave new meaning to MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.” Giorgi was pivoting, side-stepping, feinting while countering to evade punishment. Equally important, Visioli’s hands were well-protected because Davis is truly the “GWOAT” – greatest wrapper of all time! Wilkins did his best to be competitive. However, Visioli was in a zone alone – untouchable. I wanted to hop up on the press row table and yell “Goddamn Giorgi” – however I doubt that my enthusiasm and appreciation for the mastery of the sweet science wouldn’t be misunderstood! No surprise that all three judges scored it identical 80-72 for the young British prospect. Visioli garnered the victory by unanimous decision – an extremely impressive performance. I believe that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom gave us a glimpse of their next superstar.
Next up was twenty-year-old southpaw junior-lightweight Zaquin Moses (4 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) of Newark, New Jersey in a scheduled six-rounder against twenty-eight-year-old Antonio Dunton El Jr. (6 wins – 4 losses – 2 draws – 2 kos) of Baltimore, Maryland. With Wally Moses, the young pugilist’s grandfather/trainer in his corner – the supremely gifted and talented boxer who stands 5 ft. 9 inches – followed instructions – boxed brilliantly over six rounds – going to the head and body of his adversary using his long arms and quick reflexes to beat Dunton El Jr. to the punches. Watching Moses immediately after witnessing Visioli in the previous bout was tantamount to going to a Jamaican party and my two favorite dishes curry lobster and brown stew fish are atop the menu. Like his promotional stablemate – Moses pitched a shut-out – controlling the pace and action. To his credit, Dunton El Jr deserves much credit for his effort. He came to be combative – throwing his shots with bad intentions. However, Moses was just too defensively responsible – slipping, blocking, parrying and countering anything of consequence that Dunton El Jr. launched. All three judges scored it 60-54 – a unanimous decision for Moses – another majestic performance.
The fifth bout featured two undefeated twenty-year-old prospects – Philadelphia super-bantamweight Dennis “The Quiet Storm” Thompson (7 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 5 kos) an acolyte of former USBA Junior-middleweight champion – trainer Derek “Pooh” Ennis – against southpaw Sean “Dillinger” Diaz (9 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 2 kos) of Guadalajara, Mexico in a scheduled six-rounder. It was a classic case of the bull versus the matador with Thompson his foot on the gas pedal coming forward and Diaz retreating while engaging, attempting to frustrate his opponent by playing to the crowd – saluting and waving. However, Thompson is a man on a mission and was unfazed by the theatrics – blanketing Diaz round after round forcing him to fight at his pace.
Diaz spent much of his time literally shadow boxing, while Thompson remained sedulous in his goal of separating him from his senses. None of Diaz’s antics worked because Thompson stayed focused working to the head and body stalking his opponent from bell to bell. Towards the end of the fourth round, Thompson landed a vicious left hook to Diaz’s rib cage that had him walking gingerly back to his corner with referee Dali walking over asking, “Are you ok?” His corner responded positively.
Thompson pressed the action in the sixth round, forcing referee Dali to take a point from Diaz for excessive holding. It was evident that the vicious body shot from the previous round paid dividends – with Thompson in hot pursuit and the showboating absent from Diaz’s repertoire. Thompson did likewise in the sixth and final round – pressed the action out-landed his adversary who rode his bicycle. Once again, I must echo that oftentimes I wonder if the judges are all watching the same fight or maybe there should be mandatory eye examinations for them. One judge mirrored my scorecard of 60-53 for Thompson – the second judge had it 57-56 for Thompson with the dissenting judge scoring it a draw 57-56 Diaz – a clear compelling argument for a guide dog and a cane! Nevertheless, it was another splendid performance by Dennis Thompson who handed an undefeated, talented boxer his first defeat.
“Everything fell into place tonight,” aptly stated by Jaron Ennis at the post-fight press-conference. It was a spectacular performance by our Philly Phenom – “The Best Pugilist in the Galaxy!” Hopefully, next time he will invite singer Douglas Furtick aka 803Fresh and his cadre of line dancers – fans in hands – to lead him to the ring to Fresh’s chart-topping single “Boots on the Ground. Where Them Fans At?” Only WBC & WBO World Featherweight Champion Prince Naseem Hamed’s entrance on a flying carpet to face Vuyani Bungu on April 11, 2000, would rival Boots teaming up with 803Fresh!
Thank you Eddie Hearn & Matchroom for another exciting night of sweet science in the greatest boxing city on the planet – “The Capital of Boxing” – Philadelphia. Kudos to Anthony Leaver, Head of Media (USA) Matchroom Boxing – all of us in press-row were provided free parking in the stadium’s lot – a courtesy that is rarely if ever extended to members of the press. Being a practitioner of frugality, I didn’t have to walk a half mile to save $40 on parking. I didn’t have to get my boots on the ground. In addition, press members were each given a $25 voucher for food – another rare accommodation. This prevented me from smuggling a few small bags of peanuts into the venue where a slice of pizza was being sold for $15! I don’t care how much money I have saved and invested. As we say in colloquial terms, “I ain’t paying $15 for a slice of pizza!”
It was wonderful seeing so many of my Philadelphia Boxing Family in attendance including the ubiquitous wonder “Mr. Everywhere When They Never There” – Simon “One Punch” Carr, Tim Witherspoon Jr., Dante “Mr. Snuggley Time” Selby and Nicole Ross.
Tonight was a great precursor to tomorrow’s Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame Inductions. After fifteen consecutive “Philadelphia Boxing Writer of the Year” awards – I am being inducted. Thanks again Syreeta Scott – my hair looks fantastic!
Congratulation to all my fellow inductees and thank you to all who supported me and my work – nuff respect.
Inna di morrows.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece.
ghanson18@icloud.com
