Boot Ennis Is Set To FEAST On The Super-Welterweight Division

Mark Robinson. Getty Images.

I sat on this interview for about a week in order to publish it closer to a super welterweight matchup that is taking place this weekend. A matchup that will set the table for the biggest fight in that division sometime early next year.

On Saturday night, Virgil Ortiz Jr (23-0 w/ 21 KOs) headlines a fight card in Fort Worth, Texas, taking on Erickson Lubin (27-2 w/19 KOs) for the interim WBC belt at super welterweight (154 pounds). 

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy. Getty Images.

(Nice to see OnlyFans part of this promotion.)

The matchup appears to be the most challenging test of Virgil's career. More importantly (at least for me), an Ortiz victory would likely set up a showdown against a man I used to consider "the future" of boxing and who is now widely considered "the present" of the sport: Unbeaten Jaron "Boots" Ennis (35-0 w/ 31 KOs).

Jayne Kamin-Oncea. Getty Images.

Boots is the former unified welterweight champion who has decided to make the small leap from 147 to 154 pounds in dramatic fashion, knocking out Uisma Lima in just under two minutes of the first round of their fight at the beginning of October.

I was fortunate enough to have Boots at NYC HQ last week, and in the attached video, we break down the road to becoming legendary, what is currently wrong with the state of boxing, and also discuss why the fuck I own so many pairs of ugly sneakers?

People who know this sport are aware that there are a couple of criticisms of Boots' game, including a lack of high-profile opponents… But a showdown between Ortiz in the spring should put that criticism to rest. So, if for no other reason, this weekend's Ortiz bout (one where Boots will be eagerly sitting ringside) is a must-watch for fight fans who are itching to see what will happen when Ortiz and Ennis square up in 2026 to see who is the fighter to duck at super-welter. 

And if I am ducking any fighter at that weight, it's gonna be Boots… Maybe twice.

Take a report.

-Large