‘Boot’ Ennis explains family influence on boxing journey as he looks towards greatness

Jeron “Boot” Ennis sat with his arms crossed at the table, staring at his latest opponent, Usma Lima, and telling him Boxing The match will be short and sweet.

“In and out like a mugger,” Ennis, 28, said with a laugh.

Boxing requires confidence – a fighter must believe that he will defeat his opponent no matter the odds. But Ennis, The Philadelphia nativeHe was feeling very sure of himself at that moment. Granted, he was the favorite, but this was his first fight in the 154-pound, junior middleweight division.

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Jeron Ennis celebrates his victory over Eimantas Stanionis to capture the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

Still, he backed up every word, knocking out Lima twice before a first-round stoppage to clinch the interim WBA junior middleweight belt on Oct. 11 in his hometown. When you’re an undefeated boxer who has knocked out all but four of your opponents as a professional (35-0), it’s hard not to be overconfident.

But for Ennis, canvas, rope and gloves feel completely at home. A convenience because, after all, this is a family business.

“I guess I’ve been around the sport of boxing for so long and seeing my brothers come forward that I know what to expect,” Ennis said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. New York City. “I knew what was going on. So, wherever I am, whether it’s in the ring, doing interviews, I’m very comfortable. Wherever I am, I’m always comfortable. I see everything beforehand – I’ve been here before.”

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In Philadelphia, the last name Ennis rings a bell in the boxing community. It all started with Derek “Bozzie” Ennis, “Boots” father and trainer, who was naturally harder on his son than his other clients.

“It’s expected because he knows what I can do,” “Boot” said of his father’s coaching. “I want to deliver, so that’s what I carry on with. I don’t take criticism from my father too hard – that’s what motivates me to keep going.”

“Boots” added that he prefers tough love, saying, “I don’t want no yes-men around me.” He wants to know whether what he is doing is right or wrong.

But its foundation was also laid by his brothers. Derek “Pooh” Ennis and Farah “The Quiet Storm” Ennis were both professional fighters with high expectations, although they never competed for a world title like their younger brother.

“So supportive of each other. They just led the way,” “Boot” said of his brothers’ influence. “He showed me what to do and what not to do and I just followed his guidance and always stayed in some form of shape and was ready. You never know when you’re going to get that call. So, that’s what I do, try to stay in some kind of shape, try to live a healthy lifestyle outside of boxing and I’ll be ready if the call comes.”

So, since he was a jumper, “Boot” was running around his father’s gym observing, training and understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Jeron Ennis poses for photos during media day ahead of his IBF welterweight title fight against Karen Chukhadzian on November 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

“I’ve seen it all, so I know what it takes,” “Boot” said. “I know how everything goes and just have that confidence because I’ve put in the work. I know what to do and I know what I’ve done and I know nobody can do anything to me. I’m in good shape, I do everything right, I’m not cutting any corners. My training camps are going great, so that definitely brings my confidence.”

Even though it was his third time fighting at the South Philly arena earlier this month, “Boots” considered his first-round knockout of Lima a “full-circle moment” because of how important the fight was even though Lima isn’t the biggest name in the game. It was “Boots'” first fight in the new division after previously being the unified welterweight champion, having held both the IBF and WBA titles before making the jump to junior middleweight.

He’s been training his whole life to get to this point in the sport, where his name is involved in some capacity in the glorious “pound-for-pound” discussion. And he doesn’t mind the pressure or expectations, especially given his family history in the sport.

This was demonstrated by his patent confidence that was not quiet after the fight, as he called out those in his new weight class, including WBC interim champion Virgil Ortiz Jr.

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The fight, which is expected to take place in 2026, follows Ortiz’s fight on November 8.

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

The pound-for-pound conversation often revolves around Terence “Bud” Crawford, especially after defeating Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. He became the only male fighter in the four-belt era to become the undisputed champion in three different weight classes, but that’s exactly what the “boot” is shooting for.

Jeron Ennis (L) and Amantas Stanionis (R) fight for the IBF World and WBA World Welterweight titles at Ring Magazine at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

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’re two completely different fighters. I hate it when they compare me and him together because we don’t fight alike. He has his style and I have mine,” “Boot” said.

In Crawford’s case, the comparison to “Boots” is his legacy in boxing. Crawford is in the twilight of his career, while “Boots” is in its prime. He has the potential to be the best pound-for-pound in the sport, and “Boot” believes the conversation will only grow when he makes the move to the 154-pound class.

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

“Boots” simply replied, “Facts,” when asked if he would reach the pound-for-pound boxer’s best mark at some point in his career. Quiet confidence again as he smiled.

Jeron Ennis celebrates his victory over Eimantas Stanionis to capture the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on April 12, 2025 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

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But the weight of those expectations has the potential to crush the shoulders of the fighter who burdens them. However, “Boot” has the skills and support system he needs to navigate that difficult journey, including his mother, who he says will do whatever it takes to support his dream.

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

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