Former unified and Ring welterweight champion Jaron Ennis will fight for the first time as a 154-pounder when he faces Uisma Lima on October 11 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to headline a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN.

Lima, a 32-year-old from Angola who now lives in Portugal, has never fought in the United States. Naturally, Ennis had to do his fair share of homework to catch up with the little-known contender, whose last three wins have come against unbeaten opposition in South Africa, Canada, and Germany.

“I don't know about the challenges [Lima will present]. I'd never heard of him before, so I watched him,” Ennis told reporters after a recent workout. “He comes forward, throws a lot of punches. That's about it.”

Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) also kicked to the side his critics who question the viability of Lima (14-1 10 KOs) as an opponent.

“I really don't care [about the criticism],” said Ennis. “I'm just glad to be able to make my debut at 154. After I take care of business, I'll worry about the other guys. I have to make a big statement against Lima.

“My main goal is Lima. That's it right now, at the moment. I have to stay focused and on point. You can't overlook anybody or think ahead, can't lose focus on what's in front of you.”

Ennis appears headed toward a long-planned fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. next year, but when he was asked if he’d be open to a title fight on the road in Puerto Rico against WBO titleholder Xander Zayas, Ennis was open to the idea.

“I should have moved up to 154 [a while ago], but I had goals,” said Ennis. “I couldn't just leave 147 pounds as an email champ (after the IBF elevated him from interim to full champion). I had to accomplish my goals, to become a unified and lineal Ring champion.

"That's all that I really wanted. That's what stamped my legacy in the welterweight division. I'm in there with the greats. Now, 154 is the start of something new."

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.