Jaron 'Boots' Ennis vs Uisma Lima Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis believes a splashy debut at 154 pounds could set up a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. next.

That is all the more reason why ‘Boots’ might have predicted a “spectacular knockout” of Uisma Lima tonight at Xfinity Mobile Arena in his hometown of Philadelphia, and live on DAZN.

The undefeated Ennis (34-0, 30 knockouts) became a unified welterweight world champion in April when he forced Eimantas Stanionis’ corner to end their fight after the sixth round due to the Philly fighter dominating. He will be up against a Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) who enters this bout on a four-fight win streak, having last delivered a ninth-round TKO of Shervantaigh Koopman in May.

Will Ennis produce the fireworks he promises to grab the attention of all the super welterweight world titleholders? Or will Lima find a way to manufacture what would be a major upset? With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both Ennis and Lima heading into their bout.

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ Keys to Victory

Switch stances, confuse Lima

Switching stances seamlessly and with fluidity is one of many attributes that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has at his disposal.

Against Lima, who will be fighting under the brightest lights in the biggest test of his career, Ennis showing him these different looks can be the quickest way to disorient his first test at 154 pounds.

The easier he switches stances and downloads intel in real-time, the quicker he can decide whether to use his sweet science or mix in his boxer-puncher combinations.

Feint, change levels

Going hand-in-hand with his switching of stances as a major key will be ‘Boots’ feinting and changing levels to create open avenues to pot-shot Lima with clean, precise power punches.

The more he does this, the more Ennis can soften up Lima and set him up for the knockout.

Piece together complex combos

The buildup of this fight has had Ennis telling fans and the media point-blank: “You are going to see a spectacular knockout.”

If ‘Boots’ is going to make this prediction come true, he might need to piece together complex combos, dipping into his deep bag of punches to do it.

Whether stinging jabs, straight shots, hooks — or the uppercuts that crumpled Eimantas Stanionis six months ago — Ennis has the colorful, creative palette of punches at his disposal to deliver the knockout that would send reverberations through his new super welterweight stomping grounds.

Uisma Lima’s Keys to Victory

Get inside of ‘Boots’

If Uisma Lima wants to give Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis a tougher time than expected, it would be wise for the Angolan to get inside of the former unified welterweight champ’s jab.

Doing so might entail Lima needing to eat the punch just to press forward, but it might still be valuable if he is able to dirty up this fight on the inside.

Allowing Ennis to pepper him with stinging shots from the outside will put ‘Boots’ in the driver’s seat. Lima pressuring and forcing the action inside could be his best way to alter that roadmap.

Turn the volume up

Another way to avoid being pot-shot to defeat is for Lima to turn up his volume, especially if he is able to force his way in the phone booth with Ennis.

Against a skilled fighter like Ennis, who can hurt Lima in a variety of ways, the underdog's best chance is to let his hands go in the pocket.

Ennis can be hit. It is up to Lima to go about it in a smart but aggressive manner.

Be mindful about overextending with punches

His shoulders hunched over when he punches, Lima has a habit of overextending himself while throwing shots. If Ennis is able to adjust his footwork in anticipation of this, he could make Lima pay dearly with slick, impactful counterpunching that either wins him points or ends the fight in scintillating fashion, altogether.

Lima has to be mindful about pulling his arms back and returning to his guard after lunging with attempts.

Watch Jaron Ennis vs. Uisma Lima live on DAZN

Ennis vs. Lima is live on DAZN this Saturday night, October 11. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.

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