Murtazaliyev warns Enes after the Lima explosion: “I am ready”

Bakram Murtazaliev responded on social media to Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ win over Uisma Lima last Saturday night, saying: “I’m ready.”

Hearn’s list of goals leaves Bakhram waiting

IBF junior middleweight champion Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KO) is one of five names that Ennis’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said he wants to fight next. Hearn is targeting all of the champions, including the interim belt holder, Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Unfortunately for Bikram, he is not the primary target for “Boots” (35-0, 31 KOs) and Hearn. They want Virgil Jr. (23-0, 21 KO) because he is more famous, more popular, and it would be a bigger fight for the pay-per-view. Moreover, it was arguably easier than facing Murtazaliev, who had a vicious left hook that could cause Ennis a lot of problems.

The silent shark finally speaks

I’m ready 😉

– Bakhram Murtazaliev (@bakhram95) October 12, 2025

No one wants to treat Tszyu again

Murtazaliev’s inactivity could be a problem for him. He has not fought since his third round knockout win over former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024. All the top fighters and their promoters have shown no interest in fighting him after the way he reduced Tszyu to rubble.

As expected, Hearn and Enes Murtazaliev will save it for last after first fighting these two fighters to capture the belts at 154:

• Virgil Ortiz Jr.: WBC interim
• Sebastian Fundora: WBC
• Abbas Baro: World Boxing Association
• Xander Zayas: World Boxing Organization

Last night, ‘Boots’ didn’t have to worry about taking a big hit as he demolished the inexperienced Lima (14-2, 10 KOs) in the first round after knocking him down twice at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The end came with Enes hitting Lima with a barrage of fire, prompting referee Sean Clark to stop the fight at the 1:58 mark. Lima, 32, had no previous experience against top 154-pound fighters.

The only fighter on Lima’s resume is Aaron McKenna, a middleweight, to whom he lost via a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision two years ago on June 16, 2023. Hearn was very smart to choose Uisma as the perfect opponent for “Boots” to debut against at 154 rather than someone who could give him a real fight.

It was a waste for Ennis, and dampened the fans’ reaction. If he had fought a better opponent than Lima, his popularity would have been much higher today than with his win over the little-known Uisma Lima. That fight didn’t even look athletic.

Woods’ view: The fight Hearn doesn’t want yet

Hearn’s top two options in Virgil Ortiz Jr. and Sebastian Fundora for Ennis’ next fight make it clear he’s not keen on testing his fighter against IBF champion Murtazaliev just yet.

Hearn appears to want to bring his fighter slowly, taking baby steps by going up against the brawler Virgil Jr. next, and then Fundora.

So, if Ennis makes it through these fighters and looks like solid gold, Hearn will roll the dice and match him up with the division’s 154-pound bogeyman, Buckram. It’s a cunning way to match “shoes,” but it will also slow down his growth, stunting his popularity and rise.

Is it possible that Hearn still has memories of Ennis’ performance against Karen Chokhodazian in their rematch last November, causing him to slam on the brakes on his showdown with dangerous puncher Murtazaliev?

Written by Ken Woods, Ringside’s boxing analyst, covering world title fights since 2018.