Boxing

'Inside a year!' - Ex-champion Darren Barker backs Jaron 'Boots' Ennis for glory at super welterweight

DAZN

11, Oct

Ennis vs Lima - only on DAZN - tonight

Jaron Ennis can cement his place as a true boxing superstar when he becomes a two-weight world champion, believes Darren Barker.

'Boots' steps up from welterweight to super-welterweight against Uisma Lima at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in hometown Philadelphia tonight.

Having unified belts below, this latest bout marks the start of the American's pursuit of rarefied status with major straps in different classes.

Barker believes that Ennis will not have to wait long to earn his shot at another belt though, suggesting he could do so inside twelve months.

"What a talent, what a star he is," he exclusively told DAZN News. "This is how you become a superstar in this sport, stepping up in weight.

"He can become champion once again. I think he gets a title shot in a year, with the backing and the skill that he has. I wouldn't write it off."

Closer to home, Barker is also relishing the British and Commonwealth middleweight clash between Kieron Conway and George Liddard.

The pair are looking to follow in the foosteps of the former IBF champion, who held both titles himself in 2009 en-route to world success.

"I see bits of me in both of them," he added. "But ultimately, George being trained by Tony Sims, that brings back a lot of fond memories.

"I'm a big fan of York Hall, so going back there next Friday for my old weight division, that's one I'm really interested in and looking forward to."

Watch Jaron Ennis vs. Uisma Lima live on DAZN

Ennis vs. Lima is live on DAZN this Saturday night, October 11. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.