‘Boots’ Ennis explains family’s impact on boxing journey as he eyes greatness

Jaron “Boots” Ennis sat with his arms folded on the table, staring at his final opponent, Uisma Lima, and telling him what was wrong with them. boxing The match will be short and sweet.

“Getting in and out is like stealing,” the 28-year-old Ennis said with a smile.

Confidence is essential in boxing – a fighter must believe that he will defeat his opponent no matter the odds. But Aeneas Philadelphia nativeHe seemed very confident in himself at that moment. He was certainly a strong candidate, but this was his first fight in the 154-pound junior middleweight division.

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Jaron Ennis celebrates defeating Imantas Stanionis to capture the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine titles at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

Yet he backed up every word, dropping Lima twice before a first-round stoppage to capture the WBA junior middleweight belt on October 11 in his home city. When you’re an undefeated boxer who has knocked out all but four of your opponents as a pro (35-0), it’s hard not to be overly confident.

But for Ennis, the fabric, ropes and gloves feel right at home. There is comfort, because at the end of the day it is a family business.

“I think having been around boxing for a long time and seeing my brothers coming in, I kind of knew what to expect,” Ennis told Fox News Digital during a recent interview. New York City. “I knew what was happening. So, I’m comfortable no matter where I am, whether it’s in the ring or doing interviews. Wherever I am, I always feel comfortable. I actually see everything – I’ve been here before.”

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In Philadelphia, the last name Ennis rings a bell in the boxing community. It starts with Derek “Boosie” Ennis, Boots’ father and trainer, who was naturally harsher on his son than the rest of his clients.

“It’s to be expected because he knows what I can do,” Boots said of coaching his father. “I have to do it, and this is what I do. I don’t take too much criticism from my parents – it’s actually an incentive for me to keep going.”

Boots added that he prefers tough love, saying, “I don’t want to not have consenting men around me.” He wants to know what he is doing right or wrong.

But his brothers also laid the foundation for it. Both Derek “Pooh” Ennis and Farah “Quiet Storm” Ennis were professional fighters in their own right and had high expectations, even though they had never competed for a world title like their little brother.

“They’re very supportive of each other. They’ve just led the way,” Boots said of his brothers’ influence on him. “They showed me what to do and what not to do, and I followed their directions and always stayed in good shape and ready. You never know when you’re going to get that call. So, that’s what I do, I try to stay in some shape, try to live the right lifestyle outside of boxing in case I have to take a call and I’ll be ready.”

So, ever since he was a jumper, Boots has been running around his dad’s gym, observing, training and understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Jaron Ennis poses for photos during media day before his IBF welterweight title bout against Karen Choukhadjian on November 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mark Robinson/Boxing in the Match Room)

“I’ve seen it all, so I know what it takes,” Boots said. “I know how it all goes and I have that confidence because I’m giving my best. I know what I have to do and I know what I’ve done, and I know that no one can do anything to me. I’m in good shape, I’m doing everything right, I’m not cutting any corners. My training camps are going great, so that’s definitely where my confidence comes from.”

Even though it was his third time fighting in the South Philly arena earlier this month, Boots considered his first-round knockout win over Lima a “complete moment” given how important this fight was, even if Lima isn’t the biggest name in the game. This was ‘Boots’ first fight in a new division after previously being the unified welterweight champion, holding the IBF and WBA titles before moving up to junior middleweight.

He’s been training his whole life to get to this point in this sport, where the glorious “best pound for pound” debate includes his name in some capacity. He doesn’t mind the pressure or expectations, especially given his family’s history in the sport.

This was displayed by his patented confidence that was not so quiet after the fight, as he called out those in the new weight class, including Virgil Ortiz Jr., the interim WBC champion.

Deontay Wilder, who is approaching 40, says he is ready to fight Jack Paul because he only has 10 years left in his career.

It is a fight in the works and is expected to take place in 2026 after the Ortiz fight on November 8.

“I want to beat them one by one. I want to show everyone why I am the best in the world,” he said.

The pound-for-pound conversation usually revolves around Terrence “Bud” Crawford, especially after he defeated Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. He became the only male fighter of the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three different weight classes, but that is exactly what “Boots” is after.

Jaron Ennis (L) and Imantas Stanionis (R) during their fight for the Ring Magazine, IBF World and WBA welterweight titles at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Mark Robinson/Boxing in the Match Room)

In fact, some compare “Shoes” to Crawford, but the former is not a fan. Not because he doesn’t respect Crawford’s fighting style, but because they are two separate entities in his mind.

“We’re two completely different fighters. I don’t like them to compare me and him together because we fight nothing alike. He has his style and I have mine,” Boots said.

If there’s anything the ‘Boots’ want to be compared to when it comes to Crawford, it’s their boxing legacy. Crawford is at the peak of his career, while “Shoes” is in the prime of his career. There is potential to be the best in the sport, and Boots believes the conversation will only grow as he works in the 154-pound class.

“My legacy, like I said, I want to be a multi-division champion and I want to show the world that I really am. And I’m going to do it,” he said. “We’re starting to [147 pounds] And I was the outright champion at 147 years old – I’m in the history books at 147 years old. Now, we’re 154 now, and we keep going. 154, 160, maybe 168.”

Boots simply answered “the facts” when asked if he thought he would reach the best pound-for-pound mark at some point in his career. Again, quiet confidence as he smiles.

Jaron Ennis celebrates defeating Imantas Stanionis to capture the IBF, WBA and Ring welterweight titles at Gym Whelan Boardwalk on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

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But the weight of those expectations can crush the shoulders of the fighter burdened with them. However, Boots has the skill and support system needed to navigate this difficult journey, which includes his mother, who he says will do whatever he needs to support his dream.

“Family means everything. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said. “My brothers and my father paved my way for me and my mother as well. They showed me what I should do and what I shouldn’t do and things like that. And treat people the way you want to be treated. That’s the way I act.”

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