Welterweight Champ “Boots” Ennis Added to Philly Boxing Tribute
“FIGHTER’S HEAVEN TRIBUTE TO PHILLY BOXING” Saturday June 28, 2025
ENNIS TO RECEIVE “2024 PHILLY BOXER OF THE YEAR AWARD” AT ALI CAMP SPECIAL EVENT
DEER LAKE, PA —Jaron “Boots” Ennis, the world’s No. 1 ranked welterweight and current unified champion has been added to the upcoming Fighter’s Heaven Tribute to Philly Boxing. The 27-year old Philadelphia native will be presented with the Briscoe Award by Philly Boxing History as the Philadelphia Fighter of the Year for 2024 and will also serve on an all-star panel of local boxers along with Tim Witherspoon, Nate Miller and Ivan Robinson. The Briscoe Award is given in honor of former middleweight fighter Bennie Briscoe.
“Philly Boxing History is excited to present Jaron Ennis with the Briscoe Award as the ‘2024 Philly Fighter of the Year’. The Fighter’s Heaven Philly Tribute event is the perfect forum to honor a great young Philly boxer. We’ve recognized him four previous times as he rose through the ranks as both and amateur and professional, but this is the first time he’s earned our biggest honor, The Philly Fighter of the Year. We feel certain it won’t be his last time taking home this award”, said John DiSanto, President of Philly Boxing History Inc, the presenters of the Briscoe Award.
Fighter’s Heaven, Muhammad Ali’s historic training camp in Deer Lake, Pa, will host A Tribute To Philly Boxing, Saturday June 28 as part of the camp’s Tribute Series honoring boxing history. This all-day event will feature presentations and discussions with a Who’s Who of Philadelphia boxing legends. Guests include boxers Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Tim Witherspoon, Ivan Robinson, and Nate Miller, all current or former title holders. Others participants from the world of Philadelphia boxing include former state boxing commissioner George Bochetto, Hall of Fame fight promoter J Russell Peltz, former state athletic commissioner Greg Sirb, Hall of Fame boxing writer Bernard Fernandez, Hall of Fame boxing writer and former editor-in-chief of Ring magazine Nigel Collins and Philadelphia boxing historians John DiSanto and Matthew Ward.
All proceeds from this event will benefit to two boxing-related organizations dedicated to helping those with needs. One group assists those currently at risk and in need, the other pays homage to boxing’s past in an effort provide formal graveside recognition for those who passed and had their resting places go unmarked.
- The Joe Hand Boxing Gym is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through the discipline of boxing and fitness. The JHBG provides a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for those living with Parkinson’s Disease, children with autism and special needs, adults seeking wellness, and at-risk youths.
- Philly Boxing History is a non-profit group dedicated to preserving and honoring the great history of boxing in Philadelphia. A highlight of this non-profit organization, founded by John DiSanto is the ‘Gravestone Program’, established to fund headstones on the previously unmarked graves of famed Philadelphia boxers, including Tyrone Everett, Gypsy Joe Harris, Garnet “Sugar’ Hart, Eddie Cool and Matthew Saad Muhammad. They are currently raising headstone funds for former welterweight Gill Turner.
Philadelphia has a long and colorful history as a hotbed for boxing. It is recognized for championship fighters, local boxing clubs, classic venues, and Rocky Balboa. Many consider the city to be the birthplace of American boxing. Ali enjoyed a strong association with the city, owning homes in West Philadelphia and suburban Cherry Hill in the 1970’s.
The Tribute to Philly Boxing program will include presentations ‘Philadelphia: An Historic Boxing Legacy’, ‘Ali: The Philadelphia Years’, ‘Philadelphia: The Boxing Legends’, and ‘Philadelphia: The Past, Current and Future of Boxing’. In addition, George Bochetto and John DiSanto will have rare boxing memorabilia on display and lunchtime entertainment with be provided by the jazz guitar of Nate Miller. Guests will have the opportunity to meet with the day’s participants at a post-event reception presented by Yuengling.
Fighter’s Heaven, where Ali trained in the 1970’s has earned recognition as both a Pennsylvania and National Historic Landmark. This will be the second in the Fighters Heaven Tribute Series. Last fall the camp recognized the 50th anniversary of the Rumble In The Jungle. Later this year, the Tribute Series will honor the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla In Manilla.
Tickets cost $60 each, and include the full day’s activities, catered lunch and a special commemorative gift.
For additional information: Ken Safarowic, ken@fightersheaven.com; Cell: 267-718-8025
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