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

Jaron “Boots” Ennis stood with his arms crossed on the table, looking at his latest opponent, Uisma Lima, and telling her that their boxing match would be short and sweet.

“He was in and out like a robbery,” Ennis, 28, said with a grin.

Confidence is a must in boxing; A fighter must believe that he will defeat his opponent no matter the circumstances. But Philadelphia native Ennis looked very confident in that moment. Yes, he was a heavy favorite, but this was his first fight in the 154-pound junior middleweight division.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM

He backed up every word, though, knocking out Lima twice before being stopped in the first round to win the interim WBA junior middleweight belt in his home city on October 11. When you’re an undefeated boxer who has knocked out all but four of your opponents as a professional (35-0), it’s hard not to be overconfident.

But for Ennis, the canvas, ropes and gloves feel completely at home. There is a comfort because after all, this is a family business.

“I think being in the boxing match for so long and seeing my brothers coming, I knew what to expect,” Ennis told Fox News Digital during a recent interview in New York City. “I knew what was going on. So no matter where I am, whether it’s in the ring or doing an interview, I’m comfortable. Wherever it is, I’m always comfortable. I see everything already; I’ve been here before.”

WWE STAR JIMMY USO REVEALS ABOUT RE-TEAMING WITH BROTHER FOR HIS LANDMARK MATCH AT WRESTLEPALOOZA

In Philadelphia, the Ennis surname is ringing a bell in the boxing community. It all starts with “Boots” father and trainer, Derek “Bozy” Ennis, who naturally treats his son harder than his other clients.

“It’s to be expected because he knows what I can do,” “Boots” said of his father’s training. “I have to deliver, that’s why I’m doing this. I don’t really take my father’s criticism; that’s actually motivation for me to keep going.”

“Boots” stated that he prefers tough love, “I don’t want those who say yes around me.” He wants to know what he did right or wrong.

But his brothers laid the foundation for this. Although Derek “Pooh” Ennis and Farah “Silent Storm” Ennis never competed for a world title like their younger siblings, they were both professional fighters with great expectations in their own right.

“They’re very supportive of each other. They’re just guiding each other,” “Boots” said of his siblings’ influence on him. “They showed me what to do and what not to do and so I followed their instructions and always kind of stayed in shape and ready. You never know when you’re going to get that call. That’s what I do, I try to kind of stay in shape, try to live the right lifestyle outside of boxing in case I need to get a call and I’ll be ready.”

So, as he wore a jumper himself, “Boots” was running around his dad’s gym, observing, training, and understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Jaron Ennis poses for photos at Media Day ahead of his IBF heavyweight title bout against Karen Chukhadzhian on November 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mark Robinson/Match Room Boxing)

“I’ve seen it all, so I know what it takes,” said “Boots.” “I know how everything goes and I have that confidence because I put in the work. I know what to do and I know what I’m doing and I know nobody can do anything to me. I’m in shape, I’m doing everything right, I don’t give up on anything. My training camps are going great, so that’s definitely where my confidence comes from.”

Despite fighting for the third time at the South Philly arena earlier this month, “Boots” considered his first-round knockout of Lima a “full-circle moment” because of how important that fight was, even if Lima wasn’t the biggest name in the game. This was “Boots” first fight in a new division after previously being the unified heavyweight champion, holding both the IBF and WBA titles before moving up to junior middleweight.

He’s trained his entire life to get to this point in the sport where his name is somewhat involved in the glorified “best pound for pound” debate. And he doesn’t mind the pressure or expectation, especially given his family’s history in the sport.

WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. He showed off his patented confidence, which wasn’t exactly quiet after the fight, as he addressed those in his new weight class, including.

DEONTAY WILDER, APPROACHING 40 YEARS OLD, SAYS THAT HE IS ‘DESTINED’ TO FIGHT JAKE PAUL BECAUSE HE HAS ’10 YEARS LEFT IN HIS CAREER.

This is a fight that is in the pipeline and is expected to take place in 2026 after Ortiz’s fight on November 8th.

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

The pound-for-pound conversation often revolves around Terence “Bud” Crawford, especially after he defeated Canelo Álvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. He became the only male fighter in the four-belt era to be the undisputed champion in three different weight classes, but that’s exactly what “Boots” is striving for.

Jaron Ennis (left) and Eimantas Stanionis (right) during their fight for the Ring Magazine, IBF world and WBA world heavyweight titles at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 12, 2025. (Mark Robinson/Match Room Boxing)

In fact, some are comparing “Boots” to Crawford, but the former isn’t a fan of his. It’s not that he doesn’t respect Crawford’s fighting style, but rather that they’re two separate entities in his mind.

“We’re two completely different fighters. I don’t like when they compare him and me because we don’t fight anything the same way. He has his style, I have mine,” he said on “Boots.”

If there’s one thing the “Boots” want to be compared to when it comes to Crawford, it’s their legacy in boxing. While Crawford is in the twilight of his career, “Boots” is in his prime. The potential to be the best pound-for-pound in the sport is there, and “Boots” believes the conversation will only grow as he works the 154-pound class.

“My legacy is, as I said before, I want to be a multi-league champion and I want to show the world that I really am that. And I will,” he said. “We started [147 pounds] and I was lineal champion at 147 – 147 in the history books. Now we are at 154 and continuing on our way. 154, 160 and possibly 168.”

“The facts,” replied “Boots” when asked if he believed he would achieve the goal of being the best pound-for-pound boxer at some point in his career. That quiet self-confidence again while smiling.

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

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

However, the weight of these expectations has the power to crush the shoulders of the fighter who carries the burden of these expectations. But “Boots” has the skills and support system to get through this difficult journey, including his mother, who he says will do whatever he needs to support his dream.

“Family is everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” he said. “My brothers and my father also paved the way for me and my mother. They showed me what to do, what not to do, and things like that. And treat people the way you want to be treated. That’s how I treat you.”

Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.