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Road to Philadelphia: How have Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima reached heavyweight blockbuster?
Jaron Ennis seeks to conquer a new division this October when he steps up to super middleweight to face Uisma Lima at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia live on DAZN.
'Boots', a two-belt champion at welterweight, has left his titles behind in an attempt to take two weight classes in his stride, and will make his debut at 154lbs in his home state.
Lima makes for a relative unknown, without the star power Ennis may be used to, but will likely present a serious test of his credentials with a few more pounds on his frame.
But just how did both men come to this major face-off? DAZN News looks at the last five fights of each fighter and profiles what has guided them to this latest opportunity.
Jaron Ennis (34-0 (1))
- Age: 28
- Fights: 35
- Last five: WWWWW
Few fighters have built a reputation like 'Boots' over the past few years, but it is remarkable to think he hadn't held a major title - interim or otherwise - until his last five fights.
He won the vacant IBF interim crown at welterweight against Karen Chukhadzhian in 2023 with a comfortable points victory, then defended it with a knockout over Roiman Villa.
A subsequent order to Terence Crawford to defend the full belt was swerved, and Ennis was subsequently elevated to full champion for a first defence against David Avanesyan.
'Boots' made quick business, defeated Chukhadzhian again and the unified the WBA title in April this year against Eimantas Stanionis, who reitred after a sixth-round knockdown.
Uisma Lima (14-1)
- Age: 32
- Fights: 15
- Last five: LWWWW
The Angolan fighter heads to the United States for the first time in his professional career, and on something of a hot streak after racking up four straight wins to his name.
Before that, Lima suffered his lone career loss in June 2023, losing to Aaron McKenna at York Hall on points in pursuit of the vacant WBO International middleweight title.
Since then however, he has headed to Germany, Canada and South Africa on an impressive run of form, starting with an eight-round victory against Araik Marutjan.
An upset over Haro Matevosyan further gave Lima promise, before wins over Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti and Shervantaigh Koopman moved him to the biggest fight of his career.
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