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

Jaron “Boots” Ennis sat across the table with his arms crossed, staring at his newest opponent, Uisma Lima, and telling him of their fate Boxing The game would be short and sweet.

“In and out like a robbery,” Ennis, 28, said with a grin.

Confidence is a necessity in boxing – a fighter must believe that he will defeat his opponent, no matter what the odds are. But Ennis, he Philadelphia nativeHe seemed so confident in that moment. Granted, he was a heavy favorite, but this was his first fight at 154-pound junior middleweight.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Still, he backed up every word, beating Lima twice before being stopped in the first round to retain the interim WBA junior middleweight belt on October 11 in his hometown. When you’re an undefeated boxer who has knocked out all but four opponents as a pro (35-0), it’s hard not to be overly confident.

But for Ennis, the canvas, the ropes and the gloves feel right at home. That’s a consolation because, after all, it’s a family business.

“I guess just from being around boxing for so long and seeing my brothers come up, I kind of knew what to expect,” Ennis said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital New York City. “I knew what was going on. So I just feel comfortable no matter where I am, whether it’s in the ring or doing interviews. Wherever, I always feel comfortable. I kind of see it all – I’ve been here before.”

WWE STAR JIMMY USO talks about teaming up with his brother again for a milestone match at WRESTLEPALOOZA

In Philadelphia, the last name Ennis rings a bell in the boxing community. It begins with Derek “Bozy” Ennis, the father and trainer of “Boots,” who was naturally tougher on his boy than the rest of his clients.

“It’s expected because he knows what I can do,” “Boots” said of his father’s training. “I have to deliver, that’s my goal. I don’t take offense at my father’s criticism – in fact, it motivates me to keep going.”

“Boots” added that he prefers tough love, saying, “I don’t want any yes men around me.” He wants to know what he is doing right or wrong.

But his brothers also laid the foundation for this. Derek “Pooh” Ennis and Farah “The Quiet Storm” Ennis were both professional fighters in their own right with high expectations, although they never fought for a world title like their little brother.

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

So, wearing a sweater, “Boots” ran around his dad’s gym, watching, training and understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“I’ve seen it all, so I know what’s important,” said “Boots.” “I know how everything works and I just have this confidence because I work hard for it. I know what to do and I know what I’ve done and I know that no one can do anything to me. I’m in shape, I’m doing everything right, I’m not cutting corners. My training camps are going great, so that’s where my confidence comes from for sure.”

Even though it was his third fight at the South Philly Arena earlier this month, “Boots” viewed his first-round knockout of Lima as a “full-circle moment” because of how important that fight was, even if Lima wasn’t the biggest name in the game. It was “Boot’s” first fight in a new division, having previously been the unified welterweight champion and holding both the IBF and WBA titles before making the move to junior middleweight.

He has trained his whole life to get to this point in the sport where the glorious debate about “best pound for pound” in some way affects his name. And pressure and expectations don’t bother him, especially given his family history in the sport.

This was demonstrated by his patented confidence, which didn’t quite fade after the fight as he called out those in his new weight class, including Vergil Ortiz Jr., the WBC interim champion.

DEONTAY WILDER, AT 40, SAYS HE’S “NO” TO FIGHTING JAKE PAUL AS HE HAS “10 YEARS LEFT” IN THE CAREER

It’s a fight that’s in the works and expected for 2026 after Ortiz fights on November 8th.

“I want to beat them one by one. I want to show everyone why I’m the best in the world,” he said.

The pound-for-pound discussion usually 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 become undisputed champion in three different weight classes, but that’s exactly what “Boots” is aiming for.

In fact, some compare “Boots” to Crawford, but the former isn’t a fan. Not because he doesn’t respect Crawford’s fighting style, but because in his mind they are two separate entities.

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

If there’s one thing “Boots” wants to be compared to when it comes to Crawford, it’s her legacy in boxing. Crawford is at the end of his career, while Boots is in the prime of his career. The potential is there to become the pound-for-pound best in the sport, and “Boots” believes the conversation will only increase as he works his way through the 154-pound class.

“My legacy is, like I said, I want to be a multi-division champion and show the world that I really am him. And I will,” he said. “We started at [147 pounds] and I was lineal champion at 147 – I’m in the history books at 147. Now we’re at 154 and we’re just going to keep going. 154, 160 and possibly 168.

“Boots” simply answered “facts” when asked if he believes he will reach the top mark as a pound-for-pound boxer at some point in his career. The calm confidence returned as he continued to smile.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

But the weight of these expectations can weigh down the shoulders of the fighter burdened with them. However, “Boots” has the skills and support system necessary to make it through this hard-fought journey, which includes his mother, who he believes will do whatever he needs to support his dream.

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

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage of X and subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.