Bakhram Murtazaliev expressed disapproval of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’s decision to participate in a match against the relatively unknown Uisma Lima earlier this month, specifically on October 11th, instead of competing against him for his IBF junior middleweight title.
Regarded by numerous boxing enthusiasts as the prominent threat in the 154-lb weight class, the undefeated Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) highlighted in a discussion that Ennis’s adversary, the Angola-born Lima (14-2, 10 KOs), was not a well-recognized figure. He suggests that Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) would have fought him had he been inclined to do so.
“He Fought a Person of Obscurity”
“If Ennis was genuinely interested in a fight with me, he would not have selected the opponent he faced. Nobody had any recognition of who [Uisma Lima] was,” stated Bakhram Murtazaliev to The Ring, critiquing Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for opting to engage in an easy match against Uisma Lima in his initial appearance at 154, instead of contesting for his IBF junior middleweight title.
“He would have chosen to fight me if that was his desire, rather than Lima,” Murtazaliev commented.
Ennis’s Rationale
Ennis offered explanations in a recent interview on the AH Show, asserting that they had contacted Serhii Bohachuk and Israil Madrimov, but neither accepted the challenge. He claims that Uisma Lima was the sole contender who agreed. ‘Boots’ appeared to be struggling to justify his selection of Lima.
In the interview with AH, ‘Boots’ made no mention of Bakhram whatsoever. This implies a lack of initial interest on Ennis’s side, reinforcing the perception that he lacks confidence and avoids risks. He appears to be prioritizing easy fights to maintain his winning streak and secure lucrative earnings in low-stakes competitions.
Concluding Remarks: Ennis Is Protecting His Undefeated Record
There is no inherent issue with Ennis’s cautious approach to his career. It simply suggests that he is aware of his limitations as a fighter and prefers to remain within his comfort zone. He is currently in a favorable situation, accumulating substantial wealth by fighting opponents like Lima, Karen Chukhadzhian, and Eimantas Stanionis.
Why would he jeopardize that by confronting Bakhram and potentially experiencing the same outcome as Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024? The formidable Russian fighter Murtazaliev defeated Tszyu in three rounds, knocking him down four times in a battle reminiscent of a complete dominance.
