The storyline going into the encounter between undefeated former unified Welterweight world champion Jaron Ennis and IBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on October 11th was that it represented the next chapter in the thus far unbeaten career of Ennis in his debut in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. Before a hometown crowd at the recently renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena (Formerly the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia, PA, Ennis would make a statement.
Despite going against a world champion, whose title was not on the line, little was known about Uisma Lima. In previewing this fight, this observer stated that Lima was, much like Ennis, a come forward fighter that applies pressure boxing out of the southpaw stance. Although Lima, who was fighting for the first time in the United States, began this fight coming forward behind a consistent jab and attempted to put Ennis on the defensive by backing him up, he was unable to control the distance as he had shown in previous fights.
This created the scenario that brought the fight to a sudden conclusion. Just as it appeared that a potential tactical fight was setting up in the first round, the two fighters exchanged left hands. It was in that exchange that Ennis was able to connect with his left before Lima could land his. The punch from Ennis connected and stunned Lima. Ennis quickly followed that with an uppercut that sent Lima down to the canvas.
Lima got up in very unsteady legs, but Ennis pressed the issue immediately, dropping him for a second time with a follow-up barrage of blows. Showing his mettle, Lima was able to get up once more, but Ennis quickly went in for the kill and another follow-up flurry of punches forced Referee Shawn Clark to step in, as Lima’s corner was throwing the towel in to save their fighter from further punishment, and stop the fight at 1:58 of round one.
As tempting as some might be to add elements of hype to this knockout, yours truly will not be one of them. There is simply not much you can say about a fight that lasts just under two minutes. Jaron Ennis simply saw his opening, was able to take advantage of it, and made quick work of his opponent in destructive fashion. Simply put, Uisma Lima did not know what hit him and Ennis did not take the chance of allowing him to recover, went in for the kill and took care of business.
As for what's next for Ennis, quite frankly, this observer believes that the International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Jr. Middleweight championship, which Uisma Lima still holds, despite being knocked out in the first round of this fight, should have been on the line here. If nothing else, it would have provided a narrative that Ennis established himself as a two-division world champion with the knockout win. Instead, Ennis earned with his thirty-first knockout in thirty-five career wins, Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings. In short, that designation is simply a number one ranking.
A number one ranking that puts Ennis in line to face current WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Abass Baraou, a fighter who recently held that same designation, but was elevated to world champion following the decision by former WBA world champion Terence Crawford to vacate the title to move up two divisions to Super-Middleweight to challenge undisputed world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. A challenge that for Crawford was successful. Much like Uisma Lima had going into his fight with Ennis, Abass Baraou has a limited resume of a 14-1 record with 9 Knockouts and has not fought opposition that some would consider top caliber.
The brief glimpse into the politics that be in the sport of Boxing aside, what his victory over Uisma Lima, should have accomplished for Jaron Ennis was establishing him as potentially a lucrative, albeit dangerous option for any top contender or world champion in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. He also showed, at least in this fight, that his punching power has thus far carried with him up from the 147lb. Welterweight division. Whether or not Abass Baraou is indeed next for Ennis, which would be the logical assumption at least as far as the WBA is concerned, remains to be seen, but this observer believes Jaron Ennis could be back in the ring as soon as January or February of next year after a short night's work in knocking out Uisma Lima.
“And That's The Boxing Truth.”
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