Ennis demolishes Lima and ignites the debate

What was supposed to be a test turned into a massacre. In his super welterweight debut, Jaron “Boots” Ennis needed just one round to destroy Uisma Lima on October 11. Two knockdowns were enough for the referee to stop the fight and confirm what was already clear: the American is ready to dominate a new division.

The undefeated Philadelphia native, now 35-0 (31 KOs), proved that his power and precision didn’t stay at 147 pounds. Lima could barely resist the storm of punches, and the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center witnessed the birth of a genuine threat to Terence “Bud” Crawford’s reign.

The inevitable comparison: Crawford’s successor?

As soon as the fight ended, Crawford’s name began trending. Fans immediately made the connection: if anyone can dethrone the current pound-for-pound king, it might just be Jaron Ennis.

The context makes it even more intriguing. Crawford is fresh off a win against Canelo Álvarez, cementing himself as boxing’s undisputed number one. Still, many believe Ennis’ meteoric rise could signal the beginning of a generational shift in the sport.

Eddie Hearn fuels the fire: “If anyone can beat him, it’s Boots”

Renowned promoter Eddie Hearn didn’t hesitate to point to Ennis as the only fighter capable of dethroning Crawford. In an interview with TMZ Sports, Hearn stated that the 28-year-old American has what it takes to become the next pound-for-pound king.

“He’s ten years younger than Crawford, he already dominated 147, and now he’s moving up to 154 looking for another title. He can even fight at 168. He’s an exceptional talent,” said Hearn.

The promoter also mentioned Ennis’ next possible opponents, including Virgil Ortiz Jr., Sebastian Fundora, and Bakhram Murtazaliev, but his real goal is clear: to face the undisputed champion.

“If you want a real challenge, get ready, because Boots is coming,” warned Hearn.

Crawford vs. Ennis?

While the dream of seeing Crawford and Ennis face off still seems distant, the demand from fans grows with every fight. The challenge isn’t about skill —it’s financial. Making the champion accept a fight of this magnitude would be the real battle.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Some fans have pointed out gaps in Ennis’ style, claiming that Crawford would “pick him apart easily.” For now, all signs point to Virgil Ortiz Jr. as his next opponent. But one thing is certain: after the demolition of Lima, Jaron Ennis’ name is now firmly part of the global boxing conversation.