An unblemished record, a world title, and multiple defenses. Jaron Ennis already has a career that many boxers would only dream of. And for the longest time, even he was satisfied with his career. However, recently there has been a shift in Boots’ demeanor as he is pushing to complete his long-held dream—to unify the welterweight division.
Ennis deserves every ounce of success he’s got. He has fought, clawed, and triumphed his way to the top. However, as he gears up for his toughest fight to date on April 12, it’s worth exploring his roots—how he transformed from a mere boxer into Philadelphia’s beloved champion. What sparked the shift that saw him rise above cruising at 147 pounds to pour his soul into facing Eimantas Stanionis, the first obstacle on his path to undisputed glory at welterweight?
What is Jaron Ennis’ ethnicity and nationality?
Born on 26 June 1997, in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boots has boxing woven into his DNA. His father, Derrick “Bozy” Ennis is a former boxer and veteran trainer and is the reason for the welterweight star to have chosen the sport. His older brothers Derrick “Pooh” Ennis Jr. and Farah Ennis were pros too, making gym less of a hangout and more of a second home for him. He didn’t just grow around the ring, he was molded by it.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Jaron Ennis punches Karen Chukhadzhian in their Interim IBF Welterweight Championship bout at Capital One Arena on January 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
However, when you are a boxer born and raised in Philly, you have to live up to the name. You can just be strolling around with the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Chandler, Danny Garcia, and Joey Giardello casting long shadows. And it is safe to say he lived up to that legacy when he headlined the David Anyesan card at Wells Fargo Center in front of a 14,119-strong Philly crowd.
For him, that moment resonates with his fondest Philadelphia memories. “My favorite Philadelphia sports memory, the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. That and (the Phillies winning) the World Series in 2008. Those are the biggest two moments in Philly history. We’re going to put this one up there, too,” Ennis stated last year. He followed that success by headlining another event at the same venue a few months later, cementing his legacy in the city’s history forever.
Jaron Ennis takes pride in his Philadelphia heritage and carries it on his shoulder. However, it is not only Philly’s grit and tenacity that allows the 27-year-old to push through. His faith does not allow him to falter even at the hardest challenge, something he cherishes with his whole heart.
What religion does Jaron Ennis follow?
Jaron Ennis does not wear his faith on his sleeves, but it has been with him at every step of his career. For him, religion is not about flaunting religious symbols or making big shows before the bell, rather it is in his discipline. A few months ago, in an interview with YSM Sports, Boots revealed what keeps him grounded. “Stay prayed up,” he stated, followed by his ‘Never Give Up’ mindset and his family.
Great word at church today
— Boots (@JaronEnnis) December 31, 2023
While he is a devout Christian, for him, only efforts bore results. God doesn’t give handouts, even to the most devout ones. “I just stay focused, stay in the gym, stay ready. Everything else will fall into place,” said Ennis after his fight against Sergey Lipinets.
Whenever he is not in training camp, he is a constant presence in his local church. Doing community work is liberating to him and is another reason why he is Philly’s favorite. His training and stubbornness have prepared him for boxing, but it is his faith that anchors him. Allowing him to stand in the ring and remain consistent.
Jaron Ennis’ Background & Childhood
Boots displayed a natural talent and passion for boxing from a young age. He honed his skills under his father, Bozy Ennis, a top-tier coach, at the Next Champ Gym on 1082 Grant Avenue in Northeast Philly, the place where he got his ‘Boots’ moniker.
It is quite an intriguing and hilarious story. Ennis’s mother used to call him “Boops” during his childhood, his original nickname. However, inside the gym, it was misinterpreted for Boots and it has stuck ever since. “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 revealed in a Fanside interview.
The 27-year-old took the amateur circle by storm winning the U.S. National Golden Gloves Championships in 2015, followed by the USA Youth National Champion in the lightweight category. His amateur success laid the foundation of his professional career, as he made his debut in 2016. Since then, it has almost been a decade of excellence and knocking out opponents.
Jaron Ennis’ journey wasn’t all glitz and glory. Rather it started when he was just a kid and under lots of pressure. It is safe to say that so far, he has not failed those expectations. On April 12 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, he will be once again put to the test, taking his first swing at unifying the welterweight division.
So what do you think about Jaron Ennis’ journey? Let us know your thoughts down below.
The post Where Is Jaron Ennis From? Ethnicity, Religion & Background appeared first on EssentiallySports.
