Bakhram Murtazaliev responded on social media to Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ victory over Uisma Lima last Saturday night, saying, “I’m ready.”
Hearn’s Target List Leaves Bakhram Waiting
The IBF junior middleweight champion, Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs), is one of the five names that Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, mentioned that he wants next for him to fight. Hearn is targeting all of the champions, including the interim belt-holder, Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Unfortunately for Bakhram, he’s not the primary target for ‘Boots’ (35-0, 31 KOs) and Hearn. They want Vergil Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) because he’s better known, more popular, and it would be a bigger fight for pay-per-view. Moreover, it’s arguably an easier one than going up against Murtazaliev, who had a wicked 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 That Tszyu Treatment Again
Murtazaliev’s inactivity could be a problem for him. He hasn’t fought since his third-round knockout of 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.
Predictably, Hearn and Ennis will save Murtazaliev for last after they’ve first fought these fighters to round up the belts at 154:
- Vergil Ortiz Jr: WBC interim
- Sebastian Fundora: WBC
- Abass Baraou: WBA
- Xander Zayas: WBO
Last night, ‘Boots’ didn’t have to worry about getting hit that much because he crushed the inexperienced Lima (14-2, 10 KOs) in the first round after dropping him twice at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The ending came with Ennis hitting Lima with a hail of fire, prompting referee Shawn Clark to stop the fight at the 1:58 mark. Lima, 32, had no prior experience against top 154-pound fighters.
The only name fighter on Lima’s resume is Aaron McKenna, a middleweight, and he lost to him by a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision two years ago on June 16, 2023. Hearn was pretty clever in selecting Uisma as the ideal showcase opponent for ‘Boots’ to make his debut against at 154 rather than someone who could give him an actual fight.
It was a waste for Ennis, and dampened the reaction from fans. If he had fought a better opponent than Lima, his popularity would be soaring far more today than by beating the overmatched, little-known Uisma Lima. That fight didn’t even look sporting.
Woods’ View: The Fight Hearn Doesn’t Want Yet
Hearn’s top two choices of Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Sebastian Fundora for Ennis to fight next make it clear that he’s not eager to test his fighter against IBF champion Murtazaliev yet.
It sounds like Hearn wants to bring his fighter along slowly, taking baby steps by going up against the brawler Vergil Jr. next, then Fundora.
So, if Ennis gets through those fighters and looks like pure gold, then Hearn will roll the dice and match him against the boogeyman of the 154-lb division, Bakhram. It’s a cunning way to match ‘Boots,’ but it will also slow down his growth, stunting his popularity and rise.
Could it be that Hearn still has memories of Ennis’ performance against Karen Chukhadzhian in their rematch last November, causing him to hit the brakes about matching him against the dangerous puncher Murtazaliev?
Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst, covering world title fights since 2018.
Last Updated on 10/12/2025