Jaron “Boots” Ennis Wins Eleventh Straight in Thirteen Months!
By: Ken Hissner

Philadelphia’s best prospect since Meldrick Taylor who was the 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, 11-0 (9), won his 11th fight in 13 months of boxing. He comes from a fighting family with brothers Farah who was 22-2 and held the NABF super middleweight title and Derek “Pooh” Ennis, 24-5-1, who held the USBA super welterweight title.

“Boots” father Derrick “Bozy” Ennis was 4-1 over six years. He decided to become a trainer for his own sons and other boxers like Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson, 24-3. He works with Angel Pizarro, Sr. for the younger of his two sons 17 year-old Branden “The Gift” Pizarro 5-0 in 7 months. The youngest Ennis is 19 and was a great amateur being the 2016 Olympic alternate splitting with Gary Russell’s brother before losing a controversial box off fight in their third bout to make the team.

“Boots” decided to turn professional in April of 2016 in of all places St. George, Utah. In May he made his Philadelphia debut. In June he was in Springfield, VA. That was three fights all ending in the first round! In July he was in Rio Rancho, New Mexico scoring a stoppage in the fourth and final round. In August he was in Bristol, PA, just outside of Philadelphia scoring a second round knockout. In September he was back in Philadelphia winning his first decision which was over four rounds. He would return in November in South Philadelphia in his first six round bout stopping Chris Alexander, 4-2 in the 4th round. In December another fight in Philadelphia stopping a stubborn Marcus Beckford, 3-4-3, who was determined to go the full 6 rounds but was stopped in the 6th and final round.

“Boots’ would open 2017 in January knocking out veteran Elvin Perez, 26-16-4 in 0:35 of the 1st round back in Philadelphia. In March he was up against one rough and dirty veteran in James Winchester, 20-12, who managed to go the full 6 rounds. Earlier in the bout a frustrated Winchester body slammed “Boots” and punched him in the face while he was on his back. The referee not only didn’t DQ him but never took away a point. Winchester would have been fortunate if he was DQ’d. “Boots” got up and put on a body attack that would make Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum proud. “Boots” also cut his opponent winning every round.

In “Boots” last fight on May 13th he would travel back to Virginia, Norfolk this time taking on another tough veteran in Eduardo Flores, 25-26-3. In checking the record of the opponents Flores was in with and their records it’s like a who’s who! He went the distance twice with David Zegarra when he was 10-0 and 24-0 over 10 rounds. He went the 10 round distance with former WBC champion Carlos Baldimor, 46-13-6. Then there was Ebenezer Lamptey, 14-0, over 12 rounds.

Kamat Islam 11-0, losing a 9 round decision. Franklin Mamani, 10-1-1, over 12 rounds. Diego Chaves, 18-0, being stopped in 9 rounds. Erick Bone, 9-0, in another 9 round decision. Australian Wale Omotoso, 23-1, in the 8th round.

Contender Brad Solomon, 23-0, over 8 rounds. Khiary Gray, 11-0, over 10 rounds. Sammy Valentin, 11-0, over 6 rounds. Skender Halil, 13-1 over 6 rounds. Former IBF welter champion Kermit Cintron, 35-5-2, over 6 rounds. Achour Esbo, 13-0, over 6 rounds. Anthony “Juice” Young, 12-2, 6 rounds. Junior Castillo, 8-0, stopped in 5th round.

Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna, 21-2, 8 rounds. So “Boots” stops Flores, in 4 rounds which was quite an accomplishment!
Going the distance or more than four rounds Flores was to be one tough opponent. Speaking of Lamanna, he is promoting and fighting on his June 10th bout at the Claridge Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, and has “Boots” scheduled for 6 rounds. “In the first round he boxed Flores who tried roughing him up.

“Boots” in the second round put on a body attack. In the third Flores stepped on his foot and hit him. “Boots” went up to his highest weight of 149 to Flores 151. He fought at 143 in the amateurs and is 5’10”. In the fourth round he had Flores out on his feet before the fight was stopped. “Boots” only got hit three times,” said “Bozy”.

“Cameron Dunkin is one of the best managers around or the best. He knows how to maneuver his fighters around. A lot of people wanted to sign “Boots” but I dealt with Cameron when I had Anthony Thompson so it was an easy pick,” said “Bozy”.

“Boots” will fight half the fight or more as a southpaw before switching back to his natural orthodox. He goes side to side like the old timers. He looks so relaxed in the ring it’s like a sparring session in “Bozy’s Dungeon” in North Philadelphia over top of the Harrowgate Gym. This young man is a church going member and he doesn’t play around in or out of the ring! Its Philadelphia boxers like him who will put the City of Brotherly Love, or Brotherly shove like I like to call it back on the fistic map in the next couple of years! Remember the name Jaron “Boots” Ennis!

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