Jaron “Boots” Ennis has figured out a couple of ways to cut through the fog. Sometimes, he hits the roads. “If I need to clear my head, I go for a run,” Ennis says. Sometimes, he goes to the studio.
Rap has become a refuge over the past 12 months as the welterweight has waited and waited. Boxing’s twisted logic means Ennis became the IBF world champion last year. Even without fighting. Even as his career stalled.
The undefeated American, one of the sport’s most promising talents, returns to the ring on Saturday night. His first title defense, against David Avanesyan, comes more than a year after his last fight.
He was only the interim champion when he beat Roiman Villa in July 2023. Boots has since risen to full champion. He has also become a more accomplished wordsmith. Ennis shudders when listening to his old tapes.
“It’s crazy…I w“I’m really bad,” he says. “I’m much better now.” He’s had a lot of practice to do. “I go to the studio just to have fun, just to clear my mind… it’s like therapy,” Ennis explains.
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, one of boxing’s biggest talents, returns to the ring on Saturday night
The Philadelphia fighter has won all 31 of his professional fights, including 28 by knockout.
‘A while back I went into the studio with one of my friends. He used to rap and he was like, “Hey, join in on this song.” And I ended up making the song with him. I’ve been doing nothing but rapping ever since.’
He often talks about his life and loves in an off-the-cuff manner. “Boxing, cars, houses, money, women… anything,” he says, laughing. “I used to write stuff down, but it sounds better when you start with the basics… when you write, it sounds like you’re reading.”
When will the album be released? “I have some stuff,” says Ennis. “But I’m not going to release it!”
Thankfully, the 27-year-old has no such reservations when it comes to putting on a show inside the ring. Ennis sat down with Mail Sport shortly after signing a new promotional deal with Matchroom. “We make a powerful duo,” he says.
Eddie Hearn sees superstar power in the Philadelphia fighter, who has won all 31 of his professional bouts but hasn’t been home since 2018.
On Saturday night, Boots will be back in action in Philadelphia. He’ll face Avanesyan, an experienced boxer who stepped up for a second world title shot after Ennis’ original opponent, Cody Crowley, pulled out with an injury.
The hope is that this marks the opening page of a new chapter in Ennis’ career. This time last year he was on the cusp of a big fight.
‘Boots’ Ennis faces David Avanesyan at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday
After Terence Crawford defeated Errol Smith to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era, Boots was named mandatory challenger.
It was a highly attractive matchup between one of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings and his heir apparent. It was a fight that would have put Boots in the spotlight. The timing couldn’t have been better either.
Spence-Crawford came on the heels of Tank Davis’ fight with Ryan Garcia and it seemed that, after years of being overlooked, boxing in the United States had reached its peak. An era of big fights and fiery rivalries was on the horizon.
Instead? Neither Crawford, Spence or Ennis have fought since, while Garcia’s recent fight with Devin Haney – another American sensation – left a stain on the sport.
A year later, Crawford has moved up to super welterweight and Ennis has been… Being left without a dance partner. Does that have to hurt?
“There’s no one to blame,” he insists. “It’s just boxing. It’s the business: people trying to figure out what the right thing to do is, to put on the right fights.”
“I love fighting, I love hitting people and knocking people out,” the American told Mail Sport.
Boots was hoping to have at least one more belt by now. He’s had to occupy his time in other ways, such as playing basketball, rapping and spending time with his family. “I don’t really do too much. I just work out and relax,” Ennis says.
A little frustration isn’t going to deter Ennis. “In 2025, I’ll be an undisputed champion in the welterweight division,” he says. “Then I’ll move up to 154 pounds and do the same thing.”
Who I have to beat to get there is of little importance.
“I don’t care, I just want to fight,” Ennis says. “I love fighting, I love beating people up and knocking them out.”
Ennis has been set up for this life by his father and trainer, Bozy, and his older brothers. Both Derek and Farah Ennis have climbed the boxing ladder and left considerable weight to fill. “They created this monster,” says Ennis.
While driving from Philadelphia to Brooklyn, where he met Mail Sport, Boots sat with his brothers and watched some of their old fights.
Ennis sat down with Mail Sport shortly after signing a new promotional deal with Matchroom
“They used to fight at a place called Blue Horizon in Philadelphia,” he explains. “It’s like a little venue, but they used to make that place go crazy. And when I was little, I used to say, ‘I can’t wait to fight here, I can’t wait to fight in Philadelphia.'”
On Saturday night, his wish will be fulfilled once again. “It’s going to be something great, something immaculate.”
Ennis wants to make his mark at home: He helps train young wrestlers and has given talks at a couple of schools. For the past few years, he has supported a boy named Jax whose life depends on a bone marrow transplant.
“It’s very urgent,” Boots says. “I’m talking to him on FaceTime… I’m trying to do everything I can to get him around as much as possible, to see if we can find a compatible candidate.”
The goal is to have Jax in a fight someday; on Saturday night, more than 10,000 fans are expected at the Wells Fargo Center for a night to celebrate this fighter and the city that created him.
“Determination, effort and always finding a way to win,” Ennis said. “That’s Philadelphia.”
