How Jaron Ennis got the nickname ‘Boots’ and his boxing start

Jaron Ennis talked to FanSided ahead of his Dec. 19 Showtime bout against Chris van Heerden for the IBO title. Get to know the next great welterweight. 

Welterweight boxing standout Jaron Ennis has all the makings of a great boxer. He’s ambidextrous and has a mix of power and finesse not often seen. He goes for the IBO welterweight title against veteran Chris van Heerden, and he hopes a big win will open the door to the premier fights that will make him a star.

Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs), also known by the nickname “Boots,” has been in and around the boxing gym since he was born.

“All my life,” reiterated Ennis to FanSided. “Since I was in a jumper. I was in the gym in a jumper. I couldn’t even walk. I was in a walker, in a jumper, and I was in the gym. I’ve been around it, and I’ve been in it all my life.”

Ennis is from a boxing family in Philadelphia, PA. His father, Derrick “Bozy” Ennis, was a boxer, and so were both of Ennis’s older brothers. It’s in the gym somewhere in the realm between infant and toddler where Ennis got his nickname.

“My original nickname was supposed to be ‘Boops,’ said Ennis. “I got that from my mom. Once I started going to the gym when I was little, my dad was calling my name, and everybody thought my dad was saying “Boots,” like the shoes. So we just kept it and stuck with it.”

He carried it with him into the ring at a young age. Ennis took part in the family business and steadily climbed the amateur ranks. Watching his brothers succeed as professionals helped the desire to be a great boxer grow in his heart.

“It was a big inspiration because when they was fighting at Philly, and I was seeing the atmosphere with the crowd cheering them on, I’m like I want this for myself,” said Ennis. “Once they started fighting on T.V., I’m like I can’t wait to fight on T.V. It gave me more motivation to be who I am now. I thank my brothers for that.”

Jaron Ennis wants to dominate Chris van Heerden then target the top five fighters in the welterweight division

Ennis won the 2015 National Golden Gloves Tournament and nearly won the Olympic qualifiers, but he lost a controversial final bout to Gary Antuanne Russell, who won the trials. Ennis actually beat Russell earlier in the tournament. One lost one of their fights on points despite knocking Russell down.

Ennis insists he doesn’t hold a grudge against Russell, who is also an undefeated professional from a famous boxing family, but he insinuated to FanSided that he felt the loss was political on the part of USA boxing.

“I don’t hold no grudges or nothing,” insisted Ennis. “At the end of the day, we all know what really happened, and everybody knows what really happened. They had their picks. That’s who they wanted to go out there and represent them, so be it. At the end of the day, look where I’m at. Look where he’s at.”

Ennis told FanSided that his style was always geared towards the professionals. He has grown a lot since entering the pro ranks at the age of 18. Ennis is 23 years old today.

“I always had a pro-style in the amateurs,” said Ennis. “I never threw too many punches in the amateurs. My shots are just accurate and clean. I used to get a lot of stoppages and a lot of knockouts in the amateurs too. I feel like I grew as a fighter when I turned professional. I’m smarter now. I sit down on my punches way more now. I think more. I’m better all around now.”

Ennis has van Heerden in front of him for his next contest. Van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs) has a lot of experience, and Ennis respects him for taking the challenge but feels like he knows how the fight will end.

“We don’t look for knockouts, but if it comes, we’re going to take it,” said Ennis confidently. “I think it’s going to come, and I’m definitely going to take it.”

Ennis is a huge favorite, according to Oddsshark.com. He feels like this fight is the launching pad to the bigtime in 2021.

“I just want all big-name fights in 2021,” said Ennis. “I feel as though after I make a big statement on Saturday, I feel I will be able to get those fights. I feel like the media will push for it. I will have all the big fights in 2021.”

Jaron Ennis vs. Chris van Heerden can be seen on Showtime on Saturday, Dec. 19, starting at 9 p.m. ET.